Living in Little Rock, AR
Little Rock is the 119th-largest city in the US, home to about 206,000 people in 2025 and the capital of Arkansas. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well below the national average (89.4 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 206,427+1.9% since 2020
- Median home value
- $236,4003.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,106/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $63,003median, per year
- Price level
- 89.4US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 51° / 92°lows 31° / 71°
- Average commute
- 19 min12% work from home
- State income tax
- 3.9%top rate, graduated
Been to Little Rock?
Added to your city passport. See things to do
Added to the wishlist on your city passport.
County: Pulaski County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 335 ft
Metro area: Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
Cost of living in Little Rock
The median home in Little Rock is worth $236,400 and the median household earns $63,003 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,106 a month, about 21% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area at 89.4, with housing at 68.3 and goods at 93.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $67,000 here. Arkansas taxes wages at a top rate of 3.9%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Arkansas is 9.48%.
What would my salary be worth in Little Rock?
Little Rock weather
Average highs run from 50°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 31°F. It gets 50 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 4 inches of snow. Expect about 76 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Little Rock
People and work
The median resident is 35.9 years old, and 45% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.9236th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 45%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,703121.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%1% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.1%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 17.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1978median year
Who moves to Little Rock, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Dallas (Dallas County), Memphis (Shelby County) and Jonesboro (Craighead County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Fayetteville (Washington County), Dallas (Dallas County) and Rogers (Benton County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Pulaski County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, winter weather, lightning, ice storm.
Home prices
+2.3% in a year
Up 38% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
31% good days
4 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Little Rock
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Central Arkansas 23 miles
- Hendrix College 25 miles
- Philander Smith University 4 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Little Rock
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport LIT | 8 mi | 1,145,693 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Little Rock
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Arkansas | 23 mi | 7,762 | $16,423 | 54% |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 2 mi | 4,949 | $16,882 | 41% |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | 2 mi | 1,571 | n/a | n/a |
| Hendrix College | 25 mi | 1,100 | $23,177 | 72% |
| Philander Smith University | 4 mi | 751 | $22,153 | 36% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Little Rock
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 21, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 31 and the first frost comes around November 10.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Little Rock Airport Adams Field, AR, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Little Rock.
Wildfire smoke in Little Rock
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Little Rock on about 160 days a year, including about 34 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Little Rock
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 87,858 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Little Rock
Downtown Little Rock is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock School District | Pre-K to 12 | 21,086 | 38 | 15.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Pulaski County Special School District (12,368 students), Bryant Public Schools (9,827 students), North Little Rock School District (7,711 students), Mayflower School District (1,015 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Little Rock's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Little Rock's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Greenville, NC88% matchCompare
- Norman, OK85% matchCompare
- Chattanooga, TN84% matchCompare
- Bowling Green, KY84% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Little Rock
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Little Rock
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 11% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.48% on average with local taxes.
Little Rock report card from locals
0 of 5 reports so far. We show the Little Rock report card once 5 residents have rated it, so one opinion never stands in for a whole city. Live here? Add yours.
Rate Little Rock (2 minutes)
Lived here once? Map every city you have lived in and see how your homes compare.
Ask a local about Little Rock
No questions yet. Thinking about a move? Ask about neighborhoods, schools, winters, traffic or anything else, and people who live in Little Rock can answer.
Little Rock through locals' eyes
No resident photos yet. Share the view from your street, your favorite park or the city on a good day.
Share a photo
Contributions are read by a person before they appear. We remove ads, links, personal attacks and anything about private people. See the most helpful locals.
Cities near Little Rock
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro, AR | 118 mi | 83,296 | $223,200 | 85.9 | Compare |
| Fort Smith, AR | 124 mi | 90,855 | $178,100 | 85.9 | Compare |
| Fayetteville, AR | 137 mi | 106,623 | $349,600 | 91.4 | Compare |
| Memphis, TN | 138 mi | 609,647 | $169,000 | 92.2 | Compare |
| Springdale, AR | 140 mi | 90,685 | $261,800 | 91.4 | Compare |
| Rogers, AR | 147 mi | 76,956 | $308,200 | 91.4 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Little Rock with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Little Rock a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes. Compare Little Rock side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Little Rock?
The Census Bureau estimates Little Rock had 206,427 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 202,543 in April 2020 (+1.9%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Little Rock?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $67,000 in the Little Rock area. The median household here earns $63,003.
When is the best time to visit Little Rock?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 50°F for daytime highs.
What county is Little Rock in?
Little Rock is in Pulaski County, Arkansas. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Little Rock in?
Little Rock is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Little Rock?
About 335 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Arkansas have a state income tax?
Yes. Arkansas has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 3.9% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Little Rock. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Little Rock Airport Adams Field, AR station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.