Little Rock AR vs Midland 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%
Midland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$330,788
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Midland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Midland
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Midland
N/A
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Midland
N/A
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Midland
N/A
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Midland
N/A
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Midland
N/A
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Midland
N/A
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 46.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Midland
$63,758
Midland +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Midland
N/A
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Midland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Midland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Midland
$330,788
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $330,788 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Midland
442
Midland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Midland
2339
Midland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Midland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Midland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Midland
36.0%
Midland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Midland
11.3%
Midland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Midland
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Midland
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Midland
18.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Midland
12.5%
Midland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 36.0% | Midland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.3% | Midland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.6% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 19.6% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Midland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Midland
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Midland
14.8 in
Midland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 65.6°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 14.8 in | Midland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Midland
9.2 µg/m³
Midland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Midland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Midland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Midland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Midland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Midland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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