Little Rock AR vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 72,528 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.9 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 46.4% | 16.2% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.2% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $42,158 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 35.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $579,771 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 42.1% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 38.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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