Little Rock AR vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 183,483 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 2.6% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 36.5% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.5% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 3.9% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $48,465 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $33,788 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 23.6% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 27.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 53.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Shreveport
643
Shreveport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | Shreveport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 43.1% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.1% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 19.1% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 52.7 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Shreveport
20.5 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.5 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Shreveport is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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