City Comparison
Russellville vs Pine Bluff
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Russellville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Russellville
Pine Bluff
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Russellville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Russellville's average rent is
10% higher than Pine Bluff's.
| Metric | Russellville | Pine Bluff | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $728 | +10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $340 | +12% |
| Utilities | $165 | $165 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,665 | $1,553 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Russellville offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Russellville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Russellville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $38,000 in Pine Bluff.
| Metric | Russellville | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,991 | $44,500 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 57,051 idx |
| Household Income | $50,877 | $42,718 |
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 | Russellville | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 65.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 36.30°F |
| Rainfall | in | 48.40 in |
| Snowfall | in | 8.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Russellville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Pine Bluff.
Russellville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Russellville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Russellville | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pine Bluff is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Russellville.
From a growth perspective, Russellville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Russellville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Russellville | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,521 | 38,213 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.32% | — |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 7.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Russellville
Advantages
Average rent and overall cost of living are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and federal data.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, sitting directly adjacent to Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River.
Strong institutional anchor and cultural vitality provided by Arkansas Tech University.
Stable industrial and energy employment base anchored by major operations like Arkansas Nuclear One and Tyson Foods.
Short average commute times and easy access via Interstate 40.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate sits higher than the national average, standing at approximately 20.8% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure for non-drivers.
Median household income trails both state and national averages.
Vulnerability to severe weather events typical of the Arkansas River Valley region.
Limited high-end entertainment and luxury retail options within city limits.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Russellville
#250Arkansas, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$800
Avg Salary
$47,991
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
67
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
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