Grand Prairie 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)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Grand Prairie
198,564
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.4 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 7.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 24.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 10.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $60,583 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 54.2% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 40.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.3% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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