Little Rock AR vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 46.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 39.4% | 5.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $54,546 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $31,152 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 30.2% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $324,946 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 51.7% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.3% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.7% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 69.8°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.9 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, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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