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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Little Rock

Arkansas
74

Houston is 19% more expensive than Little Rock.

$1,313/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$1,067/mo ↓ 19%
$62,894/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$60,583/yr ↓ 4%
$253,400 ↑ 15%
Home Value
$221,200 ↓ 13%
$1,316/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,099/mo ↓ 16%
2,300,419
Population
202,739

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Little Rock, AR, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $246/month cheaper in Little Rock, saving renters about $2,952/year.

Median household income is $2,311/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $221,200 in Little Rock.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Little Rock — common questions

Is Houston 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 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Little Rock?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Little Rock it's $1,067/month — a difference of $246/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Little Rock?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $60,583 in Little Rock. Median household income is $2,311/year higher in Houston.
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 Houston or Little Rock?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Little Rock details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Little Rock

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Little Rock vs. Salt Lake City Little Rock vs. McKinney Little Rock vs. Columbus Little Rock vs. Augusta Little Rock vs. Worcester Little Rock vs. Oxnard