Little Rock AR vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 199,696 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 46.4% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 39.4% | 35.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.6% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $55,931 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $35,704 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 23.2% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $293,664 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 39.5% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.3% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.2% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 67.6°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 58.1 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.3 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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