Little Rock AR vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 102,866 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 46.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 39.4% | 24.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.7% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $52,512 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $29,511 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 22.6% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 29.4% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.3% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.2% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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