Little Rock AR vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.3 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 46.4% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 39.4% | 10.5% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 33.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $496,966 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.7% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 31.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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