Little Rock AR vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 86,973 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 46.4% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $33,579 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 25.6% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $509,396 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.5 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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