Little Rock AR vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 71,542 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.9 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 39.4% | 6.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.4% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 7.7% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $55,578 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $31,499 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 18.7% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 22.7% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.4% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles 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 St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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