Little Rock AR vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 68,505 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 46.4% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 39.4% | 9.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 3.1% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $561,069 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 46.7% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.4 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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