Little Rock AR vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 149,519 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.6 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 6.8% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 39.4% | 4.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.6% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $39,604 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 31.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $422,520 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 32.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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