Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 7.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 46.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 10.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $60,583 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $43,242 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,714 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 16.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 660 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2507 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 40.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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