Little Rock AR vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 28,542 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.3 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 6.8% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 39.4% | 3.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $321,835 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.2% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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