Little Rock AR vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.2 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 46.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.5% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $39,586 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 31.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $435,670 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 71.8°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.7 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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