Little Rock AR vs Lubbock TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 6.2% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 8.3% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.8% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $60,487 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $34,629 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.8% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 19.0% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 34.9% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 50.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock 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 Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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