City Comparison

Little Rock vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Little Rock

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

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

The Verdict

23.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.6%, with Little Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $98,214 in Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Little Rock
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
94
Little Rock
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
88
Little Rock
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
98
Little Rock
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
90
Little Rock
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $98,214 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $57,273 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $456,000. The $286,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $470/month in Sugar Land. 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 88 in Little Rock and 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock vs $384 in Sugar Land. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Little Rock and 96 in Sugar Land. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $47,638 in Little Rock and $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 23.6% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,214 in Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Little Rock's housing index is 62 with median homes at $170,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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