Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 202,739 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 7.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 6.7% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 10.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $60,583 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 40.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 50.0 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA