Little Rock AR vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 67,231 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 46.4% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 39.4% | 2.2% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 7.1% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $1,215,642 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Pasadena
503
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.4% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 67.0°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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