Little Rock AR vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 46.4% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 39.4% | 13.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $37,109 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 34.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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