Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 202,739 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 7.9% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 23.7% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.0% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 10.4% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $60,583 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $43,242 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.5% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.3% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 50.0 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Dallas 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 Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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