Little Rock AR vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 176,666 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 46.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $36,477 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 31.4% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $438,754 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3001 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 41.4% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.6% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.5 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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