Little Rock AR vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 94,723 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.9 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 46.4% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 39.4% | 0.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $672,082 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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