Little Rock AR vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 107,699 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 39.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.6% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 5.2% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $48,536 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $31,324 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $51,690 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.0% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 23.8% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 38.1% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $231,461 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 45.1% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 42.6% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 21.3% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.7% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 65.0°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 55.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.0 min | Tie |
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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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