City Comparison
Little Rock vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Little Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Little Rock
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Little Rock's average rent is
15% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Little Rock | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,412 | -15% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $2,120 | $2,404 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Little Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Little Rock is estimated at
$48,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Little Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,980 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,146 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $63,003 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Little Rock comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Little Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Little Rock has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Little Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Little Rock.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Little Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,427 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.41% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Little Rock
Advantages
Cost of living runs roughly 11% below the U.S. national average per BEA and regional economic data.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national median, offering high housing accessibility.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail.
Thriving healthcare sector anchored by major institutions like UAMS and Baptist Health.
Shorter average commute times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain parts of the city remain higher than the national median.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with notable humidity levels.
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state and national benchmarks.
Local average wages trail behind major coastal economic hubs.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Little Rock
#380Arkansas, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$57,980
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.41%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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