Little Rock AR vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 114,799 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 46.4% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 39.4% | 10.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $36,138 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 29.9% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $484,226 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 30.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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