Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 202,739 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 7.9% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 46.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 10.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $60,583 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 16.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 54.2% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 40.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 50.0 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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