Little Rock AR vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 99,507 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 5.8% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.3% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.4% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $33,835 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 24.9% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $313,452 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 22.3% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 19.7% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 68.5°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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