Little Rock AR vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 46.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 39.4% | 32.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.3% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $57,673 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $35,074 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 17.9% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 37.2% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $419,326 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 63.8°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 58.4 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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