Little Rock AR vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 46.4% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 39.4% | 27.5% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $435,807 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 51.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA