Little Rock AR vs Renton WA — 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%

Renton, WA

Washington · Population: 75,721

  • Median HH Income$162,099
  • Median Home Price$765,686
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+74.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Renton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Renton
45.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Renton
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Renton
25.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Little Rock & Renton