Little Rock AR vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 125,983 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 46.4% | 45.5% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 18.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $218,978 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 32.1% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.6% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 36.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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