Little Rock AR vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Sparks
N/A
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 46.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $530,668 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.1% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.8% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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