Little Rock AR vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 132,893 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 46.4% | 36.8% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 30.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $53,771 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $34,482 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 25.0% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 37.7% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $330,564 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 28.4% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.9% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.7% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.0 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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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