City Comparison
North Little Rock vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jacksonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Little Rock
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Jacksonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Little Rock's average rent is
16% lower than Jacksonville's.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,053 | $1,250 | -16% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,948 | $2,250 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Little Rock offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, North Little Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Little Rock is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $52,707 | $49,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Little Rock comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Little Rock sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Jacksonville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Little Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 19.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, North Little Rock is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,120 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Little Rock
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $1,053 is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly accessible per Zillow 2026 data
Median home property values remain near $178,900, offering strong affordability for first-time buyers per U.S. Census Bureau data
Vibrant cultural scene anchored by the Argenta Arts District, offering local dining, galleries, and entertainment venues
Short average commute times of approximately 19.8 minutes facilitate easy daily travel per Census data
Abundant outdoor amenities, including direct access to the Arkansas River Trail system and Dickey-Stephens Park
Drawbacks
Poverty rate of 20.3% sits above the national average per recent U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high car dependency with a low transit score
Violent and property crime rates in certain specific city sectors require careful neighborhood selection
Lower median household income of $52,707 compared to national benchmarks per Census data
Local summer temperatures frequently peak above 90°F, creating high cooling energy demands during peak months
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
North Little Rock
#436Arkansas, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,053
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
19.0/100
Walkability
32.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
73
Business
69
Jacksonville
#349Arkansas, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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