Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 202,739 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.4 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 36.7% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 46.8% | 39.4% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 10.4% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,714 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $216,863 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2507 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 62.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 50.0 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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