Little Rock AR vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 6.6% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 31.6% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.8% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $55,339 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $39,698 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.8% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 22.6% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 41.9% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $245,988 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 50.5% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
New Orleans
643
New Orleans +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | New Orleans + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.4% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.5% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 66.6 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.6 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 Orleans is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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