Little Rock AR vs Sugar Land 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 109,735 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 46.4% | 40.6% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 7.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $449,058 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 71.3°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 50.4 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 31.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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