Little Rock AR vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 154,751 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 46.4% | 40.8% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 20.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.8% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $51,339 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $27,054 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 25.3% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 19.7% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $298,985 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.5% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.8% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 21.1% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.7% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.5% | 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
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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