Little Rock AR vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 118,578 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 5.7% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 39.4% | 14.9% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.3% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.9% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $265,013 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 46.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 42.7% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.1% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.4% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.4% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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