CityCompare

Little Rock AR vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Little Rock
202,739
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Salt Lake City
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.

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About Little Rock & Salt Lake City

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