Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 7.9% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 36.1% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 10.4% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $53,714 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $216,863 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 660 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2507 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.5% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 62.7°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 50.0 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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