Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 202,739 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.4 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 7.9% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 46.4% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $60,583 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,714 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 54.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 660 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2507 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 62.7°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 50.0 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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