Little Rock AR vs Santa Clarita 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 Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.1 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 46.4% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 39.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $802,780 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 37.4 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Santa Clarita 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 Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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