El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 202,739 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 7.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 3.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 54.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.5% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.3% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 50.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, El Paso 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 El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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