Arkansas vs California
California comes out ahead of Arkansas on 486 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 307 with 13 ties. Arkansas leads on Agriculture, Infrastructure & Energy and Travel and 2 more categories. California leads on Health, Crime & Safety and Culture and 8 more categories.
806 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 13 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 307
- Avg. percentile
- 41
- Categories led
- 5
- Wins
- 486
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 11
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Arkansas | California |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,133,502 33rd of 51 | 39,345,844 1st of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $60,773 48th of 51 | $99,122 6th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.1% 29th of 51 | 5.5% 50th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 16.0% 46th of 51 | 12.0% 29th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 86.9 1st of 51 | 110.7 51st of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $55,219 38th of 51 | $63,028 13th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $54,890 50th of 51 | $80,690 5th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $947 3rd of 51 | $2,036 51st of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 531.8 48th of 51 | 432.7 44th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 3,393 11th of 48 | 2,814 9th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthCalifornia · 189 statistics
- Crime & SafetyCalifornia · 76 statistics
- CultureCalifornia · 78 statistics
- Tech & BusinessCalifornia · 48 statistics
- Facts & TriviaCalifornia · 18 statistics
- EducationCalifornia · 51 statistics
- PopulationCalifornia · 125 statistics
- AgricultureArkansas · 17 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyArkansas · 36 statistics
- TravelArkansas · 29 statistics
- LawCalifornia · 70 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentCalifornia · 124 statistics
- EconomicsCalifornia · 294 statistics
- GeographyCalifornia · 25 statistics
- SportsArkansas · 16 statistics
- EnvironmentArkansas · 40 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Arkansas | California |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Median WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $49,780 51st of 51 | $142,520 1st of 51 |
| Hourly Median WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $23.93 51st of 51 | $68.52 1st of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 86.9 1st of 51 | 110.7 51st of 51 |
| Entry LevelHVAC Salary by State | $42,100 50th of 50 | $53,100 1st of 50 |
| Senior 4-6 YearsHVAC Salary by State | $56,900 50th of 50 | $71,900 1st of 50 |
| Supervisor 7+ YearsHVAC Salary by State | $76,000 50th of 50 | $96,400 1st of 50 |
| Annual Mean WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $68,270 51st of 51 | $144,520 2nd of 51 |
| Annual Mean WageNurse Salary by State | $66,530 50th of 51 | $133,340 1st of 51 |
| Hourly Mean WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $32.82 51st of 51 | $69.48 2nd of 51 |
| Hourly Mean WageNurse Salary by State | $31.98 50th of 51 | $64.10 1st of 51 |
| Gun Law Rank (Giffords)Gun Laws by State | 49th 49th of 50 | 1st 1st of 50 |
| Gun Laws Strength RankStrictest Gun Laws by State | 49th 49th of 50 | 1st 1st of 50 |
| Intermediate 2-4 YearsHVAC Salary by State | $50,700 50th of 50 | $64,200 2nd of 50 |
| Police Officer Avg Annual SalaryPolice Officer Salary by State | $48,090 49th of 50 | $115,400 1st of 50 |
| COLI Grocery Costs IndexGrocery Prices by State | 94.3 1st of 51 | 109.3 49th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $947 3rd of 51 | $2,036 51st of 51 |
| RN Annual MeanNurses Pay by State | $72,900 49th of 51 | $137,690 1st of 51 |
| RN Hourly MeanNurses Pay by State | $35.05 49th of 51 | $66.20 1st of 51 |
| Affordabillity (WalletHub)Best States to Live In | 3rd 3rd of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Family FunBest States to Raise a Family | 48th 48th of 50 | 1st 1st of 50 |
| Yearly Salary 40 Hour Week MaxLIUNA Pay Scale by State | $36,600 49th of 50 | $94,000 2nd of 50 |
| Annual Grocery Cost (GoBanking)Grocery Prices by State | $5,756 1st of 49 | $6,586 47th of 49 |
| Infant Mortality RateInfant Mortality Rate by State | 7.4 47th of 49 | 3.9 1st of 49 |
| MinimumCorporate Tax Rates by State | 1% 1st of 44 | 8.84% 42nd of 44 |
| Groceries Costs IndexCost of Living Index by State | 95.3 tied 1st of 51 | 109.8 49th of 51 |
| Housing CostPension-Friendly States | 95 tied 3rd of 49 | 14 49th of 49 |
| % of Pop. with High School Diploma or EquivalentMost Educated U.S. States | 33.1% 2nd of 51 | 20.5% 49th of 51 |
| Average Cost for Basic Life SupportAmbulance Cost by State | $1,277 3rd of 51 | $1,854 50th of 51 |
| COLI Transportation Costs IndexLeast Expensive States | 90.0 4th of 51 | 136.7 51st of 51 |
| Domestic Violence with IPV-Related Impact in Lifetime - WomenDomestic Violence by State | 46.6% 51st of 51 | 24.1% 4th of 51 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Arkansas or California?
- California comes out ahead of Arkansas on 486 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 307 with 13 ties. Arkansas leads on Agriculture, Infrastructure & Energy and Travel and 2 more categories. California leads on Health, Crime & Safety and Culture and 8 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Arkansas or California?
- Arkansas has a population of 3,133,502 (33rd of 51 US states) and California has 39,345,844 (1st of 51).
- How do Arkansas and California compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Arkansas $60,773 (48th of 51), California $99,122 (6th of 51) among US states. California ranks better.
- How do Arkansas and California compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Arkansas 4.1% (29th of 51), California 5.5% (50th of 51) among US states. Arkansas ranks better.
- Where does Arkansas beat California most clearly?
- Arkansas ranks far ahead on Price Level (All Items) (Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities)): 86.9 vs 110.7; COLI Grocery Costs Index (Grocery Prices by State): 94.3 vs 109.3; Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501) (Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census)): $947 vs $2,036.
- Where does California beat Arkansas most clearly?
- California ranks far ahead on Annual Median Wage (Physician Assistant Salary by State): $142,520 vs $49,780; Hourly Median Wage (Physician Assistant Salary by State): $68.52 vs $23.93; Entry Level (HVAC Salary by State): $53,100 vs $42,100.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Arkansas or California.
- Alabama vs Arkansas
- Alaska vs Arkansas
- Arizona vs Arkansas
- Arkansas vs Colorado
- Arkansas vs Connecticut
- Arkansas vs Delaware
- Arkansas vs District of Columbia
- Arkansas vs Florida
- Alabama vs California
- Alaska vs California
- Arizona vs California
- California vs Colorado
- California vs Connecticut
- California vs Delaware
- California vs District of Columbia
- California vs Florida