Little Rock AR vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 46.4% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 39.4% | 18.3% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $334,719 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.0% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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