Little Rock AR vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.1 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 46.4% | 29.0% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 2.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $1,452,609 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
San Jose
503
San Jose +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Jose + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 61.5°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 30.4 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, San Jose 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 Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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