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Art Directors Salary in Arkansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Art Directors salary really buy you in Arkansas?

Arkansas is 13.4% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$71,930
Median annual (2025)
+15.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$83,060
COL-adjusted (RPP=86.6)

Arkansas Cost of Living Index

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 86.6, meaning prices are 13.4% lower the national average. A Art Directors earning $71,930 in Arkansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $83,060 in an average-cost US state.

AR: 86.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $52,990 $61,189 +$8,199
25th Percentile (P25) $62,060 $71,662 +$9,602
Median (P50) $71,930 $83,060 +$11,130
75th Percentile (P75) $82,070 $94,769 +$12,699
90th Percentile (P90) $130,030 $150,150 +$20,120
Key Insight

A Art Directors in Arkansas earns $71,930 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 15% further — like earning $83,060 in an average-cost state. This makes Arkansas one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Arkansas Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 86.6

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 86.6 means a basket of goods and services costs about 13.4% less than the national average. For a Art Directors, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+15.5%

Adjusting $71,930 for Arkansas's cost of living yields $83,060 — a 15.5% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#36 / 46

Arkansas ranks #36 of 46 — bottom quartile for Art Directors real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Art Directors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Art Directors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$136,489
RPP 109.4
2. Vermont
$127,853
RPP 101.1
$127,620
RPP 107.6
4. Oregon
$125,553
RPP 106.6
$122,676
RPP 107.6
$122,471
RPP 112.5
$118,750
RPP 108.8
8. Georgia
$115,271
RPP 95.8
9. Indiana
$115,130
RPP 91.8
10. Utah
$112,698
RPP 94.5

Arkansas ranks #36 out of 46 states for Art Directors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Art Directors take-home pay in Arkansas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Art Directors in Arkansas after cost of living?

A Art Directors in Arkansas earns a median salary of $71,930 per year. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (RPP=86.6), the real purchasing power is $83,060 — a +15.5% difference.

Is Arkansas expensive to live in?

Arkansas's cost of living is 13.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Arkansas is 86.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Art Directors in Arkansas: $71,930 x (100 / 86.6) = $83,060. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Art Directors in Arkansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Art Directors in Arkansas enjoys 15.5% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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