Little Rock AR vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 91,535 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.9 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 46.4% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $865,610 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 28.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.7% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 20.7% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 65.6°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 28.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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