Little Rock AR vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.7 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 46.4% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 5.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $1,369,171 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 38.5% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.9 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, San Francisco 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 Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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