Little Rock AR vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 7.4% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 25.0% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.7% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 10.2% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $51,211 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $32,314 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 22.5% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 28.2% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 46.0% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Memphis
639
Memphis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 639 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 42.1% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.7% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.9% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 19.9% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 54.9 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.9 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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