Little Rock AR vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Little Rock
202,739
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.6 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 46.4% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 39.4% | 5.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $538,687 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3001 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.3% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.7% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 78.3 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.5 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 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 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA