Little Rock AR vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 46.4% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 39.4% | 7.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $32,983 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.8% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 17.1% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 28.7% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $251,035 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.4% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 24.5% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.0% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 68.5°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.5 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, San Antonio 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 San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA