Little Rock AR vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 43.1 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 46.4% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 39.4% | 19.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 9.3% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 41.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $331,500 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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