Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 202,739 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 11.7% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 76.8% | 39.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,714 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $216,863 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 660 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2507 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.7°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 50.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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