City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jacksonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Jacksonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
42% lower than Jacksonville's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $1,250 | -42% |
| Groceries | $340 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $2,250 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pine Bluff offers 44% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pine Bluff delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pine Bluff is estimated at
$38,000 vs $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $49,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pine Bluff runs warmer on average — a 65.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pine Bluff comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Pine Bluff leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pine Bluff is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Pine Bluff 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 | Pine Bluff | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pine Bluff
Advantages
Median home values and average rents are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Cost of living index is significantly below the U.S. baseline, providing high purchasing power for essentials.
Abundant outdoor recreational access including the Delta Rivers Nature Center and Arkansas River proximity.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Presence of higher education institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff enriching community culture.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property and violent crime indices, trend higher than the national average.
Economic growth and job diversification have faced historical stagnation relative to northwest Arkansas.
Low walkability and limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily tasks.
Higher-than-average poverty rates present ongoing socioeconomic challenges for local development.
Limited high-end entertainment and upscale dining options within city limits.
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.
Pine Bluff
#556Arkansas, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$728
Avg Salary
$44,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
59
Business
52
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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