City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs North Little Rock
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Little Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
North Little Rock
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in North Little Rock.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
31% lower than North Little Rock's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | North Little Rock | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $1,053 | -31% |
| Groceries | $340 | $380 | -11% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $1,948 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Little Rock offers 23% lower 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 Pine Bluff is estimated at
$38,000 vs $48,000 in North Little Rock.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $52,707 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.60000000000001°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — North Little Rock sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 65.30°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 92.90°F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | 35.10°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 46.20 in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | 10.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | 255 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Pine Bluff 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 | Pine Bluff | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 19.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Pine Bluff.
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 | Pine Bluff | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 65,120 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 4.60% |
| 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.
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
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
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
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