Birmingham vs Little Rock: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Birmingham, AL and Little Rock, AR, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Little Rock, AR |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,431 | 202,218 |
| Median household income | $42,464 | $58,697 |
| Median home value | $123,000 | $205,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $995 | $1,006 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Birmingham, AL and Little Rock, AR comes down to what you value most. Birmingham has the lower median home value, and Birmingham has the lower median rent.
Little Rock has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Little Rock?
- By median home value, Birmingham is the cheaper of the two ($123,000 vs $205,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Birmingham or Little Rock?
- Median household income is $42,464 in Birmingham versus $58,697 in Little Rock, per the US Census Bureau.