Little Rock AR vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 114,303 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 46.4% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.2% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $26,755 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 22.3% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $486,127 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 39.9% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 21.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Provo
20.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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