Little Rock AR vs Odessa 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 114,080 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 46.4% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 39.4% | 6.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.9% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $35,655 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 18.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $253,423 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.0% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 25.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 65.6°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.7 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Odessa 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 Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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