Little Rock AR vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 124,865 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 4.8% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.1% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 9.5% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $534,732 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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