Jersey City NJ 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 202,739 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.4 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 7.9% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 21.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 3.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 10.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $60,583 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $43,242 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $53,714 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 44.0% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 660 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2507 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 40.5% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.1% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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