City Comparison
North Little Rock vs West Memphis
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
West Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in West Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Little Rock's average rent is
12% lower than West Memphis's.
| Metric | North Little Rock | West Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,053 | $1,200 | -12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,948 | $2,075 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Little Rock offers 29% 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 West Memphis.
| Metric | North Little Rock | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 53,571 idx |
| Household Income | $52,707 | $42,674 |
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
West Memphis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Memphis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Little Rock | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 19.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of West Memphis.
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,120 | 23,929 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 5.90% |
| 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
West Memphis
Advantages
Median property value is highly affordable at around $120,100 per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic geographic logistics hub offering rapid access to major interstates 40 and 55.
Short average commute times of approximately 20 minutes for local workers.
Close proximity to the cultural and entertainment amenities of metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee.
Active local educational and workforce training presence through Arkansas State University Mid-South.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails the national average, standing at roughly $42,674 per Census reports.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with approximately 29.1% of individuals living below the poverty line.
Property crime rates and overall public safety statistics present ongoing challenges for residents.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates a high dependency on personal vehicles.
Local health indicators reflect higher-than-average rates of chronic health challenges.
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
West Memphis
#503Arkansas, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
61
Business
65
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