Little Rock AR vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 46.4% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 39.4% | 5.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $1,006,261 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.6% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.9 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, San Diego 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 San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA