Little Rock, AR vs Memphis, TN
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | Little RockLittle Rock, AR | MemphisMemphis, TN | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Soft | |
| Cost of Living | Same | ||
| Crime | High Risk | High Risk | Same |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Great | Great | Same |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Exposed | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
+1.9% job growth in Little Rock, AR contrasts with -0.9% in Memphis, TN, a 2.8-point gap in 2023 Census figures. Little Rock’s unemployment sits at 3.5% versus Memphis’s 4.4%, placing the former in the 43rd percentile and the latter in the 81st percentile. Per-capita income runs $43,242 in Little Rock compared with $32,314 in Memphis, a 34% difference, with Little Rock at the 65th percentile and Memphis at the 29th.
The comfortable income for a family of 4 in Little Rock is $63,174, while Memphis requires $44,867, a 41% gap that mirrors the median home value spread of $221,200 versus $157,100. Bachelor’s degree attainment reaches 44.0% in Little Rock against 28.2% in Memphis, a 15.8-point margin. Healthcare access scores 100/100 in Little Rock and 93/100 in Memphis, placing them at the 90th and 67th percentiles respectively. Nearest large city sits 1,082 miles from Little Rock but only 5 miles from Memphis, a 1,077-mile difference that puts Little Rock in the 89th percentile and Memphis in the 5th.
Median rent runs close at $1,067 in Little Rock and $1,123 in Memphis, while population density is 1,672 per square mile versus 2,171. Violent crime per 100,000 people reaches 1,484 in Little Rock and 1,849 in Memphis, with both near the top of the percentile range at 99 and 100. Property crime follows at 3,975 versus 5,028. Traffic deaths per 100,000 are 28 in Little Rock and 38 in Memphis, and the average commute spans 18.3 minutes in Little Rock against 21.3 minutes in Memphis.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 8635th pctl | 8029th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Little Rock, AR 86; Memphis, TN 80; Little Rock is 8% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $221,20035th pctl | $157,10014th pctl | Median home value: Little Rock, AR $221,200; Memphis, TN $157,100; Little Rock is 41% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,06738th pctl | $1,12343rd pctl | About the same |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $60,58331st pctl | $51,21115th pctl | Median household income: Little Rock, AR $60,583; Memphis, TN $51,211; Little Rock is 18% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $42,97635th pctl | $30,52214th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Little Rock, AR $42,976; Memphis, TN $30,522; Little Rock is 41% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $63,17435th pctl | $44,86714th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Little Rock, AR $63,174; Memphis, TN $44,867; Little Rock is 41% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Affordable | Affordable | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Memphis needs about
$69,800
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 86 vs 80). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.5%43rd pctl | 4.4%81st pctl | Unemployment: Little Rock, AR 3.5%; Memphis, TN 4.4%; Memphis is 0.9 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +1.9%74th pctl | -0.9%7th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Little Rock, AR +1.9%; Memphis, TN -0.9%; Little Rock is 2.8 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $43,24265th pctl | $32,31429th pctl | Per-capita income: Little Rock, AR $43,242; Memphis, TN $32,314; Little Rock is 34% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 16.4%71st pctl | 22.5%88th pctl | Poverty rate: Little Rock, AR 16.4%; Memphis, TN 22.5%; Memphis is 6.1 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 18.3 min15th pctl | 21.3 min35th pctl | Average commute: Little Rock, AR 18.3 min; Memphis, TN 21.3 min; Memphis is 3 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 10.8%51st pctl | 8.0%34th pctl | Work from home: Little Rock, AR 10.8%; Memphis, TN 8.0%; Little Rock is 2.8 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Weak | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Stable | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 1,48499th pctl | 1,849100th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Little Rock, AR 1,484; Memphis, TN 1,849; Memphis is 25% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 3,97597th pctl | 5,02899th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Little Rock, AR 3,975; Memphis, TN 5,028; Memphis is 26% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | DangerousCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | DangerousCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Little Rock, AR D; Memphis, TN F; Little Rock is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Clean | Clean | About the same |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Memphis, TN; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | BState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | D-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
1 row not shown: taxes isn't available for Memphis, TN.
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 1,082 mi89th pctl | 5 mi5th pctl | Nearest large city: Little Rock, AR 1,082 mi; Memphis, TN 5 mi; Little Rock is 1,077 mi higher. |
| Target proximity | Poor | Poor | Target proximity: Little Rock, AR F; Memphis, TN D-; Memphis is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 609 mi83rd pctl | 690 mi90th pctl | Distance to international border: Little Rock, AR 609 mi; Memphis, TN 690 mi; Memphis is 13% higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 347 mi58th pctl | 323 mi57th pctl | Distance to coastline: Little Rock, AR 347 mi; Memphis, TN 323 mi; Little Rock is 7% higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Exposed | Vulnerable | Strategic location: Little Rock, AR C+; Memphis, TN D; Little Rock is graded higher. |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,73995th pctl | 629,06399th pctl | Population: Little Rock, AR 202,739; Memphis, TN 629,063; Memphis is 3.1 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 1,67252nd pctl | 2,17164th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Little Rock, AR 1,672; Memphis, TN 2,171; Memphis is 30% higher. |
| Median age | 36.436th pctl | 34.321st pctl | Median age: Little Rock, AR 36.4; Memphis, TN 34.3; Little Rock is 2.1 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 44.0%72nd pctl | 28.2%40th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Little Rock, AR 44.0%; Memphis, TN 28.2%; Little Rock is 15.8 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.328th pctl | 2.447th pctl | Average household size: Little Rock, AR 2.3; Memphis, TN 2.4; Memphis is 6% larger. |
More about Little Rock's residents · Memphis's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
| Measure | Little RockLittle Rock, AR | MemphisMemphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cook PVI | R+8 | D+23 |
| 2024 presidential | R +16.0 pts | D +42.0 pts |
Full politics data: Little Rock · Memphis
Moving between Little Rock and Memphis
- Median rent: $1,067 in Little Rock, $1,123 in Memphis
- Median home value: $221,200 in Little Rock, $157,100 in Memphis
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 86 in Little Rock, 80 in Memphis
- Median household income: $60,583 in Little Rock, $51,211 in Memphis
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $63,174 in Little Rock, $44,867 in Memphis
- Unemployment: 3.5% in Little Rock, 4.4% in Memphis
- Average commute: 18.3 min in Little Rock, 21.3 min in Memphis
- Violent crime per 100k: 1,484 in Little Rock, 1,849 in Memphis
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More places like Little Rock and Memphis
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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