Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 202,739 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.4 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 7.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 22.9% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.0% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 10.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $60,583 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 40.5% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 50.0 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Houston 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 Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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