Little Rock AR vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 113,714 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 40.7 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 4.5% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 39.4% | 19.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.9% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 3.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $41,110 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.5% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 35.1% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 41.1% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.7% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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