Little Rock AR vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 46.4% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 39.4% | 11.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $42,515 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 40.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $297,017 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.0% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.2% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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