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Mortgage Calculator Arkansas — 2026 Payment Estimates
Pre-filled with Arkansas's estimated median home price of $176,000 and 0.62% effective property tax rate. Adjust any input for your specific situation. All calculations run in your browser.
Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 by Gary S.
Median home price
$176,000
Monthly P&I (30yr)
$889.95
Property tax/month
$90.93
Est. total PITI/month
$1,046.89
Optional — unlocks affordability analysis
Enter gross income to check affordability
At the 28% front-end guideline, this payment requires ~$38,141/year in gross income. The monthly shown is principal and interest only — add ~$13 for taxes, insurance.
- ›A 15-year term saves $99,609 in total interest but raises the payment by $337/month
- ›Total interest ($179,583) exceeds the loan itself ($140,800) — every extra principal payment saves its full remaining interest
⚡ Total interest ($179,583) exceeds the loan principal — consider extra principal payments or a shorter term
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Arkansas mortgage payment scenarios — $176,000 home at 6.5%
Monthly P&I and estimated total PITI (principal, interest, tax, insurance) at three down payment levels. Property tax uses Arkansas's 0.62% effective rate; insurance estimated at 0.45% of home value annually.
| Down payment | Down amount | P&I (30yr) | P&I (15yr) | Total PITI (30yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% down | $17,600 | $1,001.20 | $1,379.83 | $1,158.13 |
| 15% down | $26,400 | $945.57 | $1,303.18 | $1,102.51 |
| 20% down | $35,200 | $889.95 | $1,226.52 | $1,046.89 |
P&I only (30yr and 15yr). PITI adds property tax (0.62%) and estimated homeowners insurance (0.45% annually). Does not include PMI — required when down payment is below 20%.
Property tax and insurance in Arkansas
Arkansas property taxes average about 0.62% effectively — low enough that the monthly tax addition to a mortgage payment is minimal on a typical home in this market.
Arkansas property tax
Effective rate: 0.62%. On a $176,000 home, annual property taxes are approximately $1,091 — or $90.93/month. Many lenders collect this monthly into an escrow account.
Homeowners insurance
Estimated at 0.45% of home value annually — roughly $66.00/month on a $176,000 home. Rates vary by coverage, age of home, and local risk factors. Get quotes from multiple insurers before closing.
PMI (if under 20% down)
Private Mortgage Insurance is required on conventional loans with less than 20% down, typically costing 0.5–1.5% of the loan amount per year. On a $140,800 loan, PMI adds roughly $105.60–$176.00/month.
Income needed
The 28% front-end DTI guideline requires approximately $44,867/year in gross income to qualify for the median Arkansas home with 20% down. This is principal, interest, tax, and insurance — not counting other debt.
Arkansas housing market 2026
Arkansas is among the five most affordable housing markets in the country. Little Rock leads activity; Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas corridor have seen above-average growth driven by Walmart headquarters and related supply chain employers.
Key numbers for Arkansas buyers
- Median home price: $176,000 (2026 estimate)
- Down payment (20%): $35,200
- Loan amount (80% LTV): $140,800
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 30yr: $889.95
- Est. PITI (with tax + insurance): $1,046.89/month
- Income needed (28% DTI): $44,867/year
What you need at closing in Arkansas: beyond the down payment
The down payment dominates the conversation, but closing costs typically add another 2–4% of the purchase price on top. On Arkansas's median home of $176,000, a buyer putting 20% down should realistically plan to bring $40,480–$44,000 to closing — $35,200 down payment plus approximately $5,280 in closing fees. Getting a Loan Estimate (LE) from your lender within three business days of application will itemise every charge so there are no surprises on closing day.
| Cost item | Estimate on a $176,000 home |
|---|---|
| Down payment (20%) | $35,200 |
| Loan origination fee (~0.75% of loan) | $1,056 |
| Title insurance (owner + lender) | $880 |
| Home inspection | $450 |
| Appraisal | $550 |
| Prepaid property tax (3 months) | $273 |
| Homeowners insurance (first year) | $792 |
| Recording, transfer, and misc. fees | $704 |
| Estimated total cash needed at closing | $39,905 |
Estimates vary by lender, county, and negotiated seller concessions. Some buyers negotiate seller-paid closing costs — typically up to 3% on conventional loans — which reduces the cash needed at closing.
True monthly cost of owning a home in Arkansas
The PITI payment of $1,047/month is the number lenders use for qualification, but it understates the real monthly cost of ownership. Experienced homeowners budget an additional 1–2% of the home's value per year for maintenance and repairs — covering items like HVAC servicing, roof maintenance, plumbing, appliance replacement, and exterior upkeep. On a $176,000 home, that's $147–$293/month in reserve. Newer homes trend toward the low end; homes older than 15–20 years or in harsh climates often exceed 2%.
HOA fees add another layer in many communities. Condo and townhome HOAs in Arkansas commonly run $150–$500/month; master-planned communities and high-rise condos can exceed $1,000/month. HOA fees cover shared maintenance and amenities but are not included in any mortgage payment estimate. Always confirm HOA fees before making an offer — they can meaningfully change the affordability equation.
Summing PITI, a 1.5% annual maintenance reserve, and a conservative HOA estimate gives a realistic "total monthly cost of ownership" of $1,517–$1,740/month for a typical $176,000 home in Arkansas. Use this range — not just the mortgage payment — when comparing the true cost of owning versus renting in your target area.
Compare mortgage payments by state
📍 California
Median $750,000 · ~$3,793/mo P&I · 0.73% tax
📍 Texas
Median $315,000 · ~$1,593/mo P&I · 1.6% tax
📍 Florida
Median $405,000 · ~$2,048/mo P&I · 0.89% tax
📍 New York
Median $415,000 · ~$2,099/mo P&I · 1.4% tax
📍 Georgia
Median $325,000 · ~$1,643/mo P&I · 0.83% tax
📍 Arizona
Median $365,000 · ~$1,846/mo P&I · 0.6% tax
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All guides →What Salary Do I Need for a $400K House? The Exact Math (2026)
You need about $109,000/year for a $400,000 house with 20% down at 6.5% (28% DTI standard; $2,539 PITI). With 10% down it rises to ~$126,000; with $1,000/mo of debts, ~$118,000. Full breakdown with rate sensitivity.
How to Calculate Home Affordability: The 4 Rules Lenders Use
Home affordability is calculated using four ratios: the 28% front-end rule, the 36% back-end rule, the 43% DTI ceiling, and the 3x–5x income rule. Most buyers are constrained by their back-end DTI, not their income. A worked example shows exactly what you can borrow at $90,000 gross income with $500/month in existing debt.
How to Remove PMI: When It Cancels Automatically and How to Request It Early
PMI cancels automatically at 78% LTV but you can request removal at 80%. With appreciation, a new appraisal can eliminate PMI years earlier. At $1,200/year per $200,000 borrowed, removing PMI 5 years early saves $6,000. Here is the exact process, the lender rules, and when refinancing beats an appraisal.
Mortgage calculator Arkansas — frequently asked questions
What is the average mortgage payment in Arkansas?
Based on Arkansas's median home price of $176,000, a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% with 20% down produces a monthly principal and interest payment of $889.95. Adding property tax (~$90.93/month at 0.62%) and homeowners insurance (~$66.00/month) gives an estimated total PITI of approximately $1,046.89/month.
What is the median home price in Arkansas in 2026?
The estimated median home price in Arkansas in 2026 is approximately $176,000. Prices vary significantly by metro area — use this as a benchmark and enter the specific price you are evaluating in the calculator above.
How much income do I need to afford a house in Arkansas?
Using the 28% front-end DTI guideline, an estimated total monthly payment (PITI) of $1,046.89 on the median Arkansas home requires approximately $44,867/year in gross income. This assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year term, and 0.62% property tax.
What are property taxes in Arkansas?
Arkansas's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.62%. On a $176,000 home, that is roughly $90.93/month or $1,091/year. Arkansas property taxes average about 0.62% effectively — low enough that the monthly tax addition to a mortgage payment is minimal on a typical home in this market.
Is a 15-year or 30-year mortgage better in Arkansas?
At 6.5% on a $176,000 home with 20% down: the 30-year P&I is $889.95/month; the 15-year P&I is $1,226.52/month — $336.57/month more. The 15-year saves $99,609 in total interest. If the higher payment is affordable, the 15-year is almost always the better long-term financial choice.