Little Rock AR vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 129,239 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 46.4% | 31.9% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 2.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $720,443 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Santa Rosa 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 Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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