Little Rock AR vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 98,677 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.0 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 7.5% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 39.4% | 29.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.6% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $52,671 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $34,792 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 19.7% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 28.9% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $279,668 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 51.7% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 41.9% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.4% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.7% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Roanoke 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 Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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