Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 202,739 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.4 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.9% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 46.4% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.0% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $60,583 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $53,714 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.4% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 44.0% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 660 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2507 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 62.7°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 50.0 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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