Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 202,739 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.4 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.9% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 46.4% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.0% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 10.4% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $60,583 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $43,242 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 44.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.5% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.5% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 50.0 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Austin 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 Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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