Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 82.8% | 46.4% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 10.4% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $60,583 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $43,242 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,714 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 16.4% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 44.0% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 54.2% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Arvada +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 660 | Arvada + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2507 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 40.5% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.1% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.5% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.4% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.3% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Arvada is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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