Little Rock AR vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 143,720 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.6 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 46.4% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $487,466 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2174 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.4 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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