City Comparison
North Little Rock vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Little Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Little Rock
Texarkana
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 Texarkana.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Little Rock's average rent is
17% higher than Texarkana's.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,053 | $899 | +17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $290 | -40% |
| Transport | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $207 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,948 | $2,246 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Little Rock offers 32% 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 $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $52,707 | $45,835 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Texarkana comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Little Rock sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | 67.30°F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | 93.60°F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to North Little Rock.
Texarkana scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Texarkana leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 19.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Texarkana.
From a growth perspective, North Little Rock is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,120 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.90% |
| 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
Texarkana
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Texarkana is 11% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with median home prices 31.7% below the national average and rent prices 21.5% lower.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 13 minutes, less than half the national average.
The city has a robust healthcare infrastructure, including two major hospitals and various specialty clinics.
Texarkana offers a blend of small-town charm with access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Drawbacks
Texarkana has a high crime rate, with violent crimes 129% higher than the national average, resulting in a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.18% in 2026.
The poverty rate in Texarkana is 25.8%, significantly higher than the national average.
Utilities are about 20% higher than the Arkansas city average, primarily driven by electric rates.
The city has high car dependency due to limited public transit and walkability options.
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
Texarkana
#459Arkansas, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$899
Avg Salary
$43,800
Cost Index
89
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
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