Arlington TX vs Little Rock AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 202,739 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.4 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.9% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 22.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.0% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 10.4% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $60,583 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 16.4% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 54.2% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Little Rock
13.3%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.5% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 50.0 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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