Little Rock vs Mesa: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Little Rock, Arkansas compare to Mesa, Arizona? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Little Rock is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 37% lower in Little Rock compared to Mesa, while rent is 26% lower. State income tax is 4.4% in AR vs 2.5% in AZ.
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $205,800 | $327,700 | -37.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,006 | $1,352 | -25.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $58,697 | $73,766 | -20.4% |
| Per Capita Income | $42,616 | $37,197 | +14.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.4% | 2.5% | +76.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.4% | 8.4% | +12.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 202,218 | 503,390 | -59.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Little Rock
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Mesa
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Little Rock costs $205,800 compared to $327,700 in Mesa — a 37% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,006/mo in Little Rock vs $1,352/mo in Mesa.
- Income: Median household income is $58,697 in Little Rock and $73,766 in Mesa.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.4% in Arkansas vs 2.5% in Arizona.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).