City Comparison
Little Rock vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jacksonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Little Rock | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,250 | -4% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,120 | $2,250 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Little Rock offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Little Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Little Rock is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,980 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,146 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $63,003 | $49,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Little Rock comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Little Rock scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Little Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 7x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Little Rock is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,427 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.41% | — |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Little Rock
Advantages
Cost of living runs roughly 11% below the U.S. national average per BEA and regional economic data.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national median, offering high housing accessibility.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail.
Thriving healthcare sector anchored by major institutions like UAMS and Baptist Health.
Shorter average commute times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain parts of the city remain higher than the national median.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with notable humidity levels.
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state and national benchmarks.
Local average wages trail behind major coastal economic hubs.
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Little Rock
#380Arkansas, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$57,980
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.41%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Jacksonville
#349Arkansas, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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