Texarkana, AR, United States🏛️ Capital City
📊 Scores
Military installations and industrial processing anchor the local economy, with Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant historically dominating employment. Today, paper mills, agricultural processing, and light manufacturing provide steady work. Median household income sits around $32,000—well below the U.S. average—reflecting limited high-wage opportunities. Remote work and small business are realistic paths; traditional job hunting here means competing for manufacturing, logistics, or government positions tied to the I-30/I-49 corridor.
Rent for a one-bedroom downtown runs $850/month, making housing genuinely affordable compared to national medians. Healthcare access is adequate through local clinics and regional hospitals, though serious cases require travel to larger centers. Public transit is minimal; a car is essential. Bureaucracy is straightforward for U.S. citizens, but the dual-city governance (separate Texas and Arkansas administrations) occasionally creates redundant paperwork. No language barrier.
Summers are hot and humid; winters mild. Food leans heavily Southern—barbecue, fried chicken, Tex-Mex. The expat community is tiny; most residents are American-born. Weekends revolve around outdoor recreation (lakes, hiking), local festivals, and day trips to Hot Springs or Shreveport. Texarkana suits remote workers seeking rock-bottom cost of living, retirees on fixed incomes, and those prioritizing quiet over cultural density.
🏚️ Cost of Living
💰 Budgets and Costs
Grocery Basket
Eating Out
Utilities & Lifestyle
Housing
💰 Real Spend Reports
🛡️ Safety & Crime
(Higher is safer)
(Lower is safer)
Texarkana feels like a typical small American city with moderate safety. Daytime walking is generally comfortable, though nighttime solo walks aren't recommended in all areas. The city has a quiet, residential character that appeals to retirees, but it's not crime-free. Overall, it's safer than many mid-sized U.S. cities but carries the standard risks of any small Southern town with economic challenges.
Property crime (theft from vehicles, burglary) is the primary concern rather than violent crime. Avoid isolated areas after dark and secure your home well. Downtown and certain residential neighborhoods near the Arkansas-Texas border warrant extra caution. Solo female travelers should use standard urban awareness—avoid walking alone late at night and stay in well-lit areas. Petty theft and car break-ins are more common than serious violent incidents.
Texarkana is politically stable with reliable local law enforcement. Police response is generally adequate for a city this size. The main contextual factor is economic stagnation, which correlates with property crime. For an American considering retirement or remote work here, the safety profile is acceptable—comparable to many rural and small-town U.S. options. It's a reasonable choice if you prefer low cost of living and small-town life, but not notably safer than alternatives.
🏥 Healthcare
🌤️ Climate
Best Months
Climate Notes
Texarkana has a humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers (June-August) and mild winters, featuring spring and fall as pleasant transitional seasons with moderate temperatures.
💻 Digital Nomad
Community Notes
| Name | Price/mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regus Texarkana | $200 | Regus offers a professional environment with various workspace options. Located on Cowhorn Creek Road, it's a convenient option with standard amenities like high-speed internet and meeting rooms, suitable for those needing a reliable and established workspace. |
| Texarkana CoWork | $150 | Texarkana CoWork provides a community-focused coworking environment. Located in downtown Texarkana, it offers a collaborative atmosphere with flexible membership options, ideal for digital nomads seeking a local connection. |
🧳 Expat Life
Expat Life Notes
A border city between Texas and Arkansas. Very traditional and economically quiet.
Pros
- ✓ Inexpensive
- ✓ Strong community spirit
Cons
- ✗ Limited nightlife
- ✗ Socially conservative
- ✗ Small social circle
Could living/working in Texarkana, AR cut years off your work life?
With a 1-bedroom in the center at $340/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.