Cincinnati 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 202,739 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 49.4% | 46.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,714 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2507 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 62.7°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 50.0 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, 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
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Cincinnati 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, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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