Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Little Rock
36.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 202,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 7.9% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 46.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 3.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 10.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $60,583 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,714 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 16.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 54.2% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 660 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2507 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 40.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 50.0 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Jacksonville, FL vs New York, NYJacksonville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jacksonville, FLHouston, TX vs Jacksonville, FLJacksonville, FL vs Phoenix, AZJacksonville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA