Little Rock AR vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.9 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 46.4% | 37.3% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 8.5% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.6% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 37.8% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $956,465 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 36.3% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Los Angeles
503
Los Angeles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Los Angeles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.2% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.9% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 62.6°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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