Little Rock AR vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 117,460 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 46.4% | 39.1% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $35,740 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 28.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $313,219 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.5% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
North Charleston
17.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.3% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA