Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 202,739 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 83.6% | 46.4% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.0% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $60,583 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $43,242 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $53,714 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 44.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 54.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 660 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2507 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 62.7°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 50.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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