Little Rock AR vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 26,509 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.7 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 7.1% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 39.4% | 3.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 3.9% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $344,633 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.0% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 28.3 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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