Little Rock AR vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.7 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 46.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 39.4% | 23.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.6% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.6% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $38,890 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $52,606 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 33.4% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $264,957 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Louisville 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 Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA