Little Rock AR vs Round Rock 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 124,288 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 11.2% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Round Rock
43.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 43.6% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $411,570 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.1% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Round Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Round Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Round Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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