Little Rock AR vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 46.4% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 39.4% | 14.2% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $58,407 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $37,533 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 18.6% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 33.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $220,279 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.0% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.2 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, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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