Little Rock AR vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 46.4% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 39.4% | 7.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $40,309 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 32.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $411,323 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.3% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 72.1°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.7 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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