Little Rock AR vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 46.4% | 39.2% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 6.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $33,716 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 25.7% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $648,603 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.6% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 66.8°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 34.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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