Akron OH vs Little Rock AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 56.1% | 46.4% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.0% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,714 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $216,863 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2507 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 62.7°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 50.0 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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