Little Rock AR vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.3 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 46.4% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 39.4% | 3.2% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 35.7% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $570,934 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.4% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.9% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.3 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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