Little Rock AR vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 135,983 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 46.4% | 36.5% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 17.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $26,955 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 11.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 20.0% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 12.4% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $397,983 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Visalia
503
Visalia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Visalia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.9% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 63.3°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 41.6 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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