Little Rock AR vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 161,993 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 46.4% | 21.8% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $28,813 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 15.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $751,711 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.0% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.2% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 22.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 28.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Salinas 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 Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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