Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 202,739 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.4 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.9% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 46.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 10.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $60,583 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,714 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 54.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 660 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2507 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 50.0 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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