City Comparison
Benton vs Ankang
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ankang scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Benton
Ankang
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ankang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
73% higher compared to Benton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Benton's average rent is
23% higher than Ankang's.
| Metric | Benton | Ankang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $748 | +23% |
| Groceries | $400 | $195 | +105% |
| Utilities | $180 | $93 | +94% |
| Transport | $150 | $30 | +400% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,847 | $1,066 | +73% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 30 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Benton offers 350% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Benton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Benton is estimated at
$55,000 vs $7,000 in Ankang.
| Metric | Benton | Ankang |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,632 | $9,696 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $7,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,426 idx | 32,320 idx |
| Household Income | $72,876 | $9,696 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Benton | Ankang |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ankang has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,000 minutes (200 hours) per year compared to Benton.
Benton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Benton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Benton | Ankang |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ankang is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Ankang is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Benton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Benton | Ankang |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,595 | 785,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 2.58% |
| Median Age | 38.1 | |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.62% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Benton
Advantages
The cost of living in Benton is approximately 8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Benton boasts a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
The city has experienced significant economic growth, with Benton County seeing a 15.5% increase in average weekly wages in 2024.
Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton holds an 'A' safety grade and has received awards for cardiac care, indicating high-quality healthcare access.
Benton offers a small-town charm with convenient access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby Little Rock.
Drawbacks
Benton has a low Walk Score of 30/100 and is largely car-dependent, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The city has a high flood risk in certain areas, potentially requiring mandatory flood insurance and higher utility costs.
Benton's violent crime rate of 414.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is 18% above the national average.
Public transit options are very limited, with only about 0.1% of residents using it for commuting.
Commutes to major job centers like Little Rock can take 30-45 minutes, which might be a drawback for some residents.
Ankang
Advantages
Ankang boasts a significantly low cost of living, with monthly expenses for a single person averaging $568, including rent.
The city offers affordable housing options, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costing approximately $748.30 per month.
Local transportation is convenient and inexpensive, with bus fares and shared electric bikes readily available for downtown travel.
Ankang benefits from a scenic natural environment, situated along the Han River and surrounded by mountains.
The urban area of Ankang is experiencing a positive population growth rate, projected at 2.58% annually.
Drawbacks
Specific data for many key metrics, such as unemployment rate, median age, and detailed economic indicators, is not readily available for Ankang.
The median after-tax salary of $808 per month is relatively low, although balanced by the low cost of living.
Comprehensive information on top industries and major employers in Ankang is not easily accessible in recent public data.
Detailed healthcare quality scores and a definitive count of all hospitals in Ankang are not available.
Specific scores for transit, walkability, and traffic are not available, making quantitative comparisons difficult.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Benton
#69Arkansas, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$43,632
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
66
Business
70
Ankang
#10Shaanxi, China
81.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$748
Avg Salary
$9,696
Cost Index
30
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.58%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
70
Business
60
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