True Cost of Renting in Little Rock, AR

Little Rock is Arkansas's capital and largest city — anchored by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Windstream Communications headquarters, Dillard's department store corporate headquarters, and state government. The River Market District has revitalized the downtown core with restaurants, a farmers market, and apartment development. Entergy Arkansas electric rates are among the South's most affordable.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Hillcrest

Studio:
$900/mo
1 Bed:
$1,100/mo
2 Bed:
$1,500/mo

Little Rock's most walkable residential neighborhood; craftsman bungalows on The Heights and Kavanaugh Boulevard. Eclectic restaurants and shops walkable. Mix of older houses and small apartment buildings. Entergy Arkansas electric. Most desirable Little Rock neighborhood for young professionals.

River Market / Downtown

Studio:
$950/mo
1 Bed:
$1,200/mo
2 Bed:
$1,600/mo

Revitalized riverfront district; loft apartments, the River Market pavilion, and newer high-rise development. Walkable to Clinton Presidential Library, outdoor amphitheater, and restaurants. Parking included in most buildings.

West Little Rock / Chenal

1 Bed:
$1,200/mo
2 Bed:
$1,600/mo

Upscale suburban corridor along Chenal Parkway; newer apartment communities with resort amenities. Car-dependent. Top-rated Pulaski County Special School District. Good AR-430 access. Highest rents in metro Little Rock.

Utility Providers

Electric
Entergy Arkansas
Water
Central Arkansas Water (CAW)
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, Windstream Kinetic

Commute & Transportation

I-30 runs northeast (Memphis, 135 miles) and southwest (Texarkana, 150 miles). I-40 runs east-west (Memphis east; Fort Smith west). UAMS employs 10,000+ in the university medical district on Markham Street. State Capitol and government offices are in the heart of Downtown. Little Rock National Airport (LIT) handles regional and some direct service. Rock Region METRO provides limited bus service. Most Little Rock employment requires a car.

Rental Market Overview

Little Rock offers genuine affordability — median 1BR runs $1,050–1,250/month. Entergy Arkansas electric rates are among the most competitive in the South — summer bills average $90–150/month despite high humidity. UAMS creates stable medical professional demand. State government employment provides non-cyclical stability. The River Market revitalization has attracted new apartment investment and improved downtown quality of life. Windstream and Dillard HQ employment supports professional renter demand. Arkansas has no state-level rent control, so Little Rock landlords set annual renewals at market rate with standard notice.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Little Rock

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Little Rock: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Little Rock?
One-bedroom apartments in Little Rock range from $1,100/month in Hillcrest to $1,200/month in West Little Rock / Chenal. Two-bedroom units range from $1,500 to $1,600/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Little Rock?
In Little Rock, electricity is provided by Entergy Arkansas, water by Central Arkansas Water (CAW), and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, Windstream Kinetic. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Little Rock.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Little Rock?
Hillcrest is the most affordable of the 3 Little Rock neighborhoods covered here, at $1,100/month for a one-bedroom — $100 less than West Little Rock / Chenal, roughly an 8% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Little Rock expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Little Rock runs about $1,167/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Little Rock offers genuine affordability — median 1BR runs $1,050–1,250/month. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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