City Comparison

Irving vs Little Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Little Rock

Arkansas
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$47,638
Median Income

The Verdict

19.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.0%, with Little Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $63,000 in Little Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
94
Irving
62
Little Rock
Groceries
99
Irving
94
Little Rock
Utilities
111
Irving
88
Little Rock
Transportation
97
Irving
98
Little Rock
Healthcare
103
Irving
90
Little Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $63,000 in Little Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $89,286 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Little Rock

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $170,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $447/month in Little Rock. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $352 in Little Rock. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 90 in Little Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $56,712 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 19.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,000 in Little Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Little Rock's is 62 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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