Little Rock AR vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 46.4% | 16.5% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.9% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $48,416 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $25,509 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 10.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 24.7% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 17.4% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $482,675 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 24.1% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Newark
14.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.0% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 23.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.2% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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