Little Rock, Arkansas
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Little Rock.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Little Rock?
Little Rock, AR has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 76 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $221,200 and median rent about $1,067, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $60,583. Typical commute is 20 minutes; summer highs average 90°F. Violent-offense rates run about 1516.8 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 76U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $221,200U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,067U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $60,583U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.5%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1516.8per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 90°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Little Rock compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 204,774City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $60,583Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year23% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 76ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year24% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $221,200City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year27% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,067City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year21% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.5%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3327% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1516.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)159% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 6122annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)98% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 90°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 33°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 50.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals53% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 259As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Little Rock grew 5.6% from 193,972 in 2010 to 204,774 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Little Rock expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Little Rock runs 24 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 76 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $221,200 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,067 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Little Rock?
Budget first around $1,067/month rent or $221,200 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $221,200
- Median rent $1,067/month
- Median household income $60,583
What is the job market like in Little Rock?
Labor-market context for Little Rock: unemployment 4.5% and median income $60,583. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.5% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $60,583
How long is the typical commute in Little Rock?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Little Rock. Walk Score estimates around 33 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 33/100
Is Little Rock safer than similar U.S. cities?
Little Rock's FBI-derived violent rate (~1516.8/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1516.8 per 100k
- Property 6122 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Little Rock?
Little Rock's climate profile: 90°F summer peaks, 33°F winter mornings, 50.4" annual rainfall, and 259 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 90°F
- Winter low 33°F
- 50.4 in rain · 259 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Little Rock, Arkansas will find roughly 204,774 residents within city limits. Median household income is roughly $60,583, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 76 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Budget for median rents around $1,067 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Little Rock is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Little Rock with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Ozark foothills and river bottoms give the state a quieter, lower-cost profile. With about 50.4 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 33. Unemployment recently ran near 4.5%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1516.8 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Little Rock city, 1600000US0541000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Pulaski County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013963 LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10