Little Rock AR vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 186,419 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 46.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 39.4% | 7.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $42,371 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $468,328 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.6% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 71.3°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Tempe 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 Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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