Little Rock AR vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 102,558 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 7.2% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 39.4% | 12.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.7% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $58,568 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $31,987 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 17.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 25.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 63.4°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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