Little Rock AR vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 148,848 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 46.4% | 37.8% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 24.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
McKinney
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $29,291 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.8% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 18.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $487,346 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 64.2°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | McKinney + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 35.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, McKinney 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 McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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