Little Rock AR vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 192,696 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 46.4% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 39.4% | 3.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $42,839 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 31.5% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $510,577 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.9% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.1% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.1 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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