Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Little Rock to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has higher median household income ($81,332 vs $63,003) and higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,106) than Little Rock. Phoenix also has a longer commute (28 vs 20 minutes) and applies a 2.50% state individual income tax in the calculator, while Little Rock’s state tax is excluded per source notes. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption for both. These factors create a trade-off: Phoenix offers higher income but higher housing costs, longer commutes, and tax consideration, while Little Rock has lower income, lower rent, shorter commutes, and no state tax in the model.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Little RockMoving from Little Rock to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$476/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$5,712 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+8 min / day
Difference of ~67 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTLIT → PHX
50/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,872after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Little Rock is about $5,712 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Little Rock household income$63,003
Phoenix household income$81,332
Little Rock gross rent$1,106
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Little Rock | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 203,436 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $63,003 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,106 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $236,400 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 20 minutes in Little Rock and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
What each city wins
Little Rock
Affordability uncertain. Watch housing costs vs income.
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between the two cities relative to income?
Phoenix’s median gross rent is $476 higher monthly than Little Rock’s, but its median household income is $18,329 higher annually. Rent-to-income ratio is more favorable in Little Rock despite lower absolute income.
What role does commute time and tax play in the cost-of-living comparison?
Phoenix residents have an 8-minute longer one-way commute and face a modeled 2.50% state income tax, while Little Rock’s commute is shorter and state tax is excluded in the calculator, affecting net affordability.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.