Little Rock AR vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 46.4% | 36.1% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $37,669 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 22.0% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 34.6% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $233,814 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.3% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 34.5 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
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