Little Rock AR vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 169,432 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 3.8% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.3% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.7% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 5.6% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $45,984 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $30,864 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 19.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 30.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $245,279 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 42.9% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.0% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.1% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
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 501 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 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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