Both Jacksonville, Florida, and Little Rock, Arkansas, are diverse cities with their own unique attractions, features, and challenges. Depending on individual preferences and lifestyle, one city might be a better fit over the other. These comparisons will highlight aspects such as crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work, economy, infrastructure, occupations, industries, biggest employers, real-estate, neighborhoods, transportation, taxes, culture, sports, geographical conditions, and health care. One should consider all these points and more when deciding on a potential relocation or visit.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Little Rock, AR : 691.9 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 373%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Little Rock has grown by 18,865 people (10.3%) during that time.
Both Jacksonville and Little Rock have crime rates above the national average. However, Jacksonville has made significant strides in reducing crime in recent years. It's important for residents and visitors to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions. Little Rock, on the other hand, has a higher crime rate than Jacksonville. The city is focused on implementing various measures to ensure the safety of its residents and visitors. Always research current crime statistics when planning to relocate or visit.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Jacksonville is lower than the US average, offering affordable housing, utilities, and groceries. Little Rock also boasts a low cost of living, particularly in terms of housing, which is less expensive than in Jacksonville. In both cities, your dollar can stretch further than in many other parts of the United States.
Income Tax
Florida, including Jacksonville, does not impose a state income tax. In contrast, Little Rock residents are subject to Arkansas state income tax which has a progressive rate system.
Property Tax
The average property tax rate in Jacksonville is lower than the national average. Meanwhile, Little Rock's property taxes are among the lowest in the country, making home ownership more affordable.
Sales Tax
The combined city and state sales tax rate in Jacksonville is about 7.5%, whereas in Little Rock it is higher at approximately 9%. These percentages can influence the overall cost of living in both cities.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$53,565
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$39,600
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
85.1
If you make $50,000 in Little Rock, you will have to make $51,880 in Jacksonville to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville is located on the northeastern coast of Florida, suitable for beach lovers. Little Rock, located in central Arkansas, has a more landlocked geography featuring wooded hills and the scenic Arkansas River.
Jacksonville is home to a number of prestigious schools and universities, including the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. Little Rock, too, has a solid education system with institutions like University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Both cities offer a variety of public, private, and charter school options for K-12 education.
Jacksonville's economy is primarily driven by sectors like banking, healthcare, and logistics. Little Rock's economy is diverse, with industries such as healthcare, education, and government playing major roles. Both cities offer good job prospects, however, overall unemployment rate is slightly lower in Jacksonville.
Biggest Employers
In Jacksonville, some of the biggest employers are the Naval Air Station, Duval County Public School, and City of Jacksonville. In Little Rock, the State of Arkansas, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Little Rock Air Force Base are major employers.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 666 building permits issued in Little Rock in 2012 (341 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Little Rock (Pulaski County), 54.7% voted for Democrats and 43.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Little Rock
2020
51.3%
60.5%
47.5%
37.8%
1.2%
1.7%
2016
47.2%
56.1%
48.6%
38.3%
4.2%
5.6%
2012
47.9%
54.7%
51.5%
43.3%
0.6%
2.0%
2008
49.0%
55.3%
51.0%
43.7%
0.0%
0.9%
2004
41.7%
55.2%
57.9%
44.4%
0.3%
0.4%
2000
40.9%
53.8%
57.7%
44.0%
1.4%
2.2%
1996
44.2%
58.8%
50.0%
35.1%
5.8%
6.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Little Rock
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
17.8%
22.3%
21.0%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
6.3%
2.8%
2.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
1.1%
2.3%
1.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.2%
0.6%
0.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.5%
0.7%
1.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
1.4%
0.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
0.0%
1.7%
0.3%
4.0%
Weather
Jacksonville has a subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and mild to cool winters. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean influences the city's weather, making it prone to hurricanes. Meanwhile, Little Rock experiences all four seasons, featuring hot and humid summers and mild, but wet winters. It sees more temperature variation, and while it is further from the coast, risk of tornadoes is higher due to its location in the central United States.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
62.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
76.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
35%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
88%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
53%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
51.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
9.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
19.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
74%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
30%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
82%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
52%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
7.6 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Little Rock, Arkansas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Jacksonville
Little Rock
2018
78
67
N/A
0.29
7.3
N/A
24.5
24.7
N/A
N/A
7.1
9.2
N/A
0.6
2017
74
70
N/A
0.41
7.6
N/A
24.7
25.5
N/A
N/A
5.8
9.5
0.7
0.6
2016
65
64
0.50
0.30
7.9
N/A
24.9
25.4
N/A
N/A
5.2
8.7
0.4
0.6
2015
63
64
0.35
0.31
8.6
N/A
25.4
22.8
N/A
N/A
4.9
9.0
0.3
1.1
2014
66
69
0.27
0.35
8.9
N/A
24.3
22.6
N/A
N/A
5.9
9.4
0.7
1.2
2013
68
70
0.18
0.39
9.8
N/A
23.0
24.7
N/A
N/A
5.3
9.5
0.7
1.3
2012
66
81
0.10
0.47
10.6
N/A
24.0
25.8
N/A
N/A
5.8
9.9
0.6
1.3
2011
88
81
0.28
0.45
10.0
N/A
26.6
25.5
N/A
N/A
8.1
11.3
0.8
1.4
2010
77
72
0.31
0.45
10.0
N/A
26.4
24.8
N/A
N/A
7.1
N/A
0.8
1.3
2009
72
62
0.16
0.42
9.1
N/A
25.0
22.0
N/A
N/A
8.5
N/A
0.6
1.7
2008
75
59
0.15
0.44
9.0
N/A
27.6
22.6
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
0.9
1.8
2007
92
75
0.29
0.59
10.8
N/A
28.4
22.1
N/A
N/A
11.4
N/A
1.2
3.2
2006
87
75
0.35
0.56
11.9
N/A
29.0
25.3
N/A
N/A
10.8
N/A
1.4
3.2
2005
93
87
0.42
0.39
12.1
N/A
26.5
24.1
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
1.8
1.5
2004
92
68
0.40
0.38
14.1
N/A
25.2
20.5
N/A
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
2.0
2003
55
78
0.43
0.47
14.3
N/A
21.6
22.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
2.3
2002
59
81
0.49
0.59
15.5
N/A
22.2
22.9
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
2.7
2001
74
82
0.49
N/A
10.4
N/A
24.0
25.9
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
N/A
2000
85
78
0.52
N/A
10.2
N/A
25.1
26.0
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
253.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
579.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
26%
Transportation
Jacksonville has an extensive bus and monorail system, though many residents rely on car transportation due to the city’s size. Little Rock also has a bus system and a downtown trolley line that caters to both residents and tourists, but a car is generally needed for broader commuting.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
566
259
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
35
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Bicycle
0.2%
0.1%
Bus
1.1%
0.4%
Carpooled
9%
9.7%
Car alone
86.5%
88.1%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.3%
Walked
1.2%
0.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Average
27.5 min
26 min
Other means
25 min
20 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
36.2 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.4%
87.6%
In 2 person carpool
8%
8.3%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.3%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.9%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
1.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.3%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Jacksonville offers a comprehensive range from affordable to luxury, with beachfront properties attracting a premium. In Little Rock, housing is more affordable than the national average with a good mix of suburban and city living options.
Neighborhoods
Jacksonville is known for its diverse neighborhoods such as upscale Ponte Vedra Beach and historic Riverside. Little Rock also has a variety of distinctive neighborhoods including the historical Quapaw Quarter and the more residential Heights area.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Houses
422,315
99,876
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.3
Median year apartment built
1985
1981
Median year house/condo built
1987
1977
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
12.9 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
89,422 (89.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
49,236 (55.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
40,186 (44.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$706.04
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$990
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$243,385
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$191,700
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.3
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$274,395
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
$152,806
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$175,185
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$451,067
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$35,528
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$160,142
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$271,664
Median house age
36
43
Renting percentage
38.3%
43.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
859.5
House value disparities
33.2%
43.1%
Household income disparities
44.2%
49.3%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$98,030
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$64,425
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
623 (1.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
1,588 (4.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
32,138 (98.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
75 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
2,366 (7.2%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
11
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
2.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
0.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Little Rock
One, detached
59.4%
61.4%
One, attached
6.1%
2.2%
Two
2.1%
1.9%
3 or 4
5.3%
4.1%
5 to 9
5.0%
8.6%
10 to 19
7.9%
4.9%
20 to 49
4.9%
3.8%
50 or more
5.3%
11.2%
Mobile homes
3.8%
2.0%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
4,725
State government workers
13,692
9,860
Unpaid family workers
1,066
160
Industries and Occupations
The top sectors in Jacksonville include health care, financial services, and transportation and logistics. In Little Rock, healthcare, public administration, and education sectors are on top. Both cities offer a diverse range of job opportunities in these sectors.
Both Jacksonville and Little Rock host excellent health care systems. Jacksonville is home to the Mayo Clinic and UF Health. Little Rock houses the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas Heart Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
In terms of infrastructure, Jacksonville has an extensive skyline with modern structures, a high-speed monorail system, and one of the busiest cargo ports in the US. Little Rock features a mix of modern and historic architecture and has undergone significant revitalization efforts in downtown region.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
Little Rock
Hospitals
25
15
TV stations
17
17
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
191
139
Bank institutions located here
31
29
Main business address for public companies
23
4
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
20
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Little Rock
1999
5,422
842
2000
4,132
792
2001
3,038
634
2002
2,017
365
2003
3,563
510
2004
4,781
581
2005
7,134
837
2006
8,812
881
2007
5,298
503
2008
1,719
230
2009
676
114
Culture and Food
Jacksonville is famous for its vibrant culture, beach lifestyle, and southern hospitality. Foodies will enjoy the city's seafood and southern cuisine. Little Rock also offers a diverse culture steeped in southern tradition; its food scene is noted for BBQ and comfort food-style restaurants.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team. Little Rock, while not having any major league teams, has a strong following for college sports, particularly the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
Jacksonville, FL
Little Rock, AR
Jacksonville, FL and 
Little Rock, AR : 691.9 miles
