Little Rock AR vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 146,211 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 46.4% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 39.4% | 27.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 10.3% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $45,845 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $27,570 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 29.6% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 30.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.3% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 41.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.1% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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