Little Rock AR vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 115,415 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.9 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 46.4% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 39.4% | 5.3% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 33.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $441,257 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.3% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.7 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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