Little Rock AR vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
New York
35.9%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.0 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 46.4% | 35.9% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 22.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 17.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 41.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $816,078 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 32.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 44.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, New York 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 New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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