Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.4 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 7.9% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 46.4% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.0% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 10.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,714 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 44.0% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 660 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2507 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 40.5% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.1% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.3% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 50.0 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 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, Gainesville 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 Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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