Little Rock AR vs New Braunfels 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 267 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 8.2% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 46.4% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 39.4% | 0.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 0.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $21,360 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 1.8% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $352,129 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 34.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.2% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 67.4°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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