Little Rock AR vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 138,723 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.9 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 46.4% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Ontario
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 40.1% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $671,948 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Ontario
503
Ontario +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Ontario + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 65.5°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 28.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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