Little Rock AR vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 44,998 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 57.8 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 46.4% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 39.4% | 5.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $503,393 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.7% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 63.5°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Palmdale 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 Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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