City Comparison
North Little Rock vs Paragould
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Paragould scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Little Rock
Paragould
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | North Little Rock | Paragould | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,053 | $950 | +11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,948 | $1,950 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 74 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Little Rock offers 41% 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 $66,000 in Paragould.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $41,176 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 55,643 idx |
| Household Income | $52,707 | $56,980 |
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 | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| 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
North Little Rock has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Paragould.
Paragould scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Paragould leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 19.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Paragould.
From a growth perspective, Paragould is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Paragould has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,120 | 31,135 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.2 |
| 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
Paragould
Advantages
Paragould's cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it highly affordable.
The city is experiencing significant growth, ranking among Arkansas's fastest-growing cities with a 1.2% annual population increase.
Residents have access to highly-rated school districts and a modern community center with an aquatic park.
The local economy shows strong employment growth, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are available, including state parks, hiking trails, and fishing lakes.
Drawbacks
Some healthcare quality metrics, such as pulmonary mortality at the main hospital, have been rated 'worse than expected'.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit options and an average commute time of 22.8 minutes.
While overall cost of living is low, certain utility costs for renters can be higher than the national average.
The median individual income is lower than the median household income, suggesting a need for dual-income households or careful budgeting for single earners.
Walkability and transit scores are likely low due to the car-centric nature of the city, limiting options for those without personal vehicles.
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
Paragould
#240Arkansas, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$41,176
Cost Index
74
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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