Little Rock AR vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 46.4% | 36.5% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 38.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $51,888 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $29,679 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 23.3% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 26.6% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $226,456 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.5% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 41.8% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.1% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.1% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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