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

Garland

Texas
96
VS

Little Rock

Arkansas
74

Garland is 30% more expensive than Little Rock.

$1,525/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,067/mo ↓ 30%
$74,717/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$60,583/yr ↓ 19%
$248,900 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$221,200 ↓ 11%
$1,445/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,099/mo ↓ 24%
245,298
Population
202,739

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garland, TX and Little Rock, AR, the overall cost of living indices are 96 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $458/month cheaper in Little Rock, saving renters about $5,496/year.

Median household income is $14,134/year higher in Garland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garland is $248,900 compared to $221,200 in Little Rock.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Garland vs Little Rock — common questions

Is Garland 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 96 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garland and Little Rock?
Median rent in Garland is $1,525/month and in Little Rock it's $1,067/month — a difference of $458/month.
Which city has higher income, Garland or Little Rock?
Median household income is $74,717 in Garland and $60,583 in Little Rock. Median household income is $14,134/year higher in Garland.
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 Garland or Little Rock?
It depends on your priorities. Garland has a cost index of 96 with median rent of $1,525/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 Garland details → View Little Rock details →

More Comparisons

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