Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.4 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 7.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 21.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 10.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $60,583 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.4% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 54.2% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 40.5% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 62.7°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 50.0 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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