Little Rock AR vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 46.4% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 39.4% | 12.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $35,825 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 19.8% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 34.1% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $435,532 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 42.4% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.9% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.5% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.3 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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