City Comparison
Little Rock vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Little Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Little Rock
Texarkana
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Texarkana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Little Rock's average rent is
33% higher than Texarkana's.
| Metric | Little Rock | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $899 | +33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $290 | -38% |
| Transport | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $207 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,120 | $2,246 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Little Rock offers 32% higher 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 $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | Little Rock | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,980 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,146 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $63,003 | $45,835 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Texarkana comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Little Rock | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | 67.30°F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | 93.60°F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Little Rock.
Little Rock scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Little Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Little Rock | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 7.1x the population of Texarkana.
From a growth perspective, Little Rock 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 | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,427 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.41% | — |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Texarkana
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Texarkana is 11% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with median home prices 31.7% below the national average and rent prices 21.5% lower.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 13 minutes, less than half the national average.
The city has a robust healthcare infrastructure, including two major hospitals and various specialty clinics.
Texarkana offers a blend of small-town charm with access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Drawbacks
Texarkana has a high crime rate, with violent crimes 129% higher than the national average, resulting in a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.18% in 2026.
The poverty rate in Texarkana is 25.8%, significantly higher than the national average.
Utilities are about 20% higher than the Arkansas city average, primarily driven by electric rates.
The city has high car dependency due to limited public transit and walkability options.
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
Texarkana
#459Arkansas, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$899
Avg Salary
$43,800
Cost Index
89
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
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