Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.4 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 7.9% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 20.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.0% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 10.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $53,714 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $216,863 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 54.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 660 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2507 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 50.0 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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