Little Rock AR vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 46.4% | 43.2% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.1% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 10.3% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $374,265 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 43.5% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.9% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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