Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Iowa instead of Arkansas, you would:
Health
live 3.7 years longer
In Arkansas, the average life expectancy is 74 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2020. In Iowa, that number is 78 years (76 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020.
be 22.7% less likely to have diabetes
In Arkansas, 12.8% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In Iowa, that number is 9.9% as of 2022.
Economy
make 34.7% more money
Arkansas has a GDP per capita of $47,319 as of 2024, while in Iowa, the GDP per capita is $63,747 as of 2024.
be 21.4% less likely to be unemployed
In Arkansas, 4.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Iowa, that number is 3.3% as of 2025.
be 30.5% less likely to live below the poverty line
In Arkansas, 15.1% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Iowa, however, that number is 10.5% as of 2023.
Safety
be 54.6% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
Arkansas has a violent crime rate of 610 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 277 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 35.0% less likely to be a victim of property crime
Arkansas has a property crime rate of 2,195 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 1,427 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 24.5% more money
The median household income in Arkansas is $58,773 as of 2023, while in Iowa, it is $73,147 as of 2023.
pay 11.8% more for a home
The median home value in Arkansas is $175,300 as of 2023, compared to $195,900 in Iowa as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 2.5 minutes less
The average one-way commute in Arkansas takes 22.3 minutes as of 2023. In Iowa, it takes 19.8 minutes as of 2023.
be 45.3% less likely to be uninsured
In Arkansas, 8.6% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 4.7% as of 2023.
be 15.0% less likely to smoke
In Arkansas, 19.3% of adults smoke as of 2022. In Iowa, that number is 16.4% as of 2022.
be 18.1% less likely to be physically inactive
In Arkansas, 30.4% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In Iowa, that number is 24.9% as of 2022.
be 23.6% more likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Arkansas, 16.5% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.
be 50.7% less likely to be food insecure
In Arkansas, 15.0% of the population is food insecure as of 2021. In Iowa, that number is 7.4% as of 2021.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Feeding America, OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
