Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Little Rock, AR (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Little Rock

Arkansas
74

Austin is 81% more expensive than Little Rock.

$1,655/mo ↑ 55%
Median Rent
$1,067/mo ↓ 36%
$91,461/yr ↑ 51%
Median Income
$60,583/yr ↓ 34%
$512,700 ↑ 132%
Home Value
$221,200 ↓ 57%
$1,747/mo ↑ 59%
Owner Costs
$1,099/mo ↓ 37%
967,862
Population
202,739

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Little Rock, AR, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $588/month cheaper in Little Rock, saving renters about $7,056/year.

Median household income is $30,878/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $221,200 in Little Rock.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Arkansas's 4.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Little Rock — common questions

Is Austin or Little Rock cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Little Rock is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Little Rock?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Little Rock it's $1,067/month — a difference of $588/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Little Rock?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $60,583 in Little Rock. Median household income is $30,878/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arkansas?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arkansas has 4.4% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Little Rock?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Little Rock has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,067/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Little Rock details →

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