Little Rock AR vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 46.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 39.4% | 6.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.2% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $871,599 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 44.3% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.0% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 28.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA