Little Rock AR vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 51,054 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 46.4% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 39.4% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 9.8% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $57,688 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $35,780 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 9.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 23.8% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 36.8% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 36.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.4% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.7% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.7 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica 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 Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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