Little Rock AR vs Long Beach CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.8 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 46.4% | 41.6% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 11.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Long Beach
$42,370
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $42,370 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 34.8% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $862,599 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 40.9% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Long Beach
17.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 64.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 32.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Long Beach 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 Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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