Little Rock AR vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 46.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 39.4% | 18.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.9% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 40.4% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $427,121 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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