Little Rock AR vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 190,214 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 46.4% | 40.7% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $36,694 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 20.1% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 34.7% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $429,449 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.6% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.6% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.4 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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