Little Rock AR vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 198,440 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 5.5% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 27.7% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 4.8% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $55,687 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $32,068 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $51,690 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 20.9% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 33.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.6% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 64.5°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 52.8 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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