City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs Sherwood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sherwood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
Sherwood
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 Sherwood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
46% lower than Sherwood's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Sherwood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $1,345 | -46% |
| Groceries | $340 | $380 | -11% |
| Utilities | $165 | $213 | -23% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $200 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $2,248 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sherwood offers 4% lower 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 $55,000 in Sherwood.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $46,462 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 49,959 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $81,328 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Sherwood sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 64.80°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | 34.40°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 48.50 in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | 9.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pine Bluff has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Sherwood.
Sherwood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pine Bluff leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pine Bluff is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Sherwood.
From a growth perspective, Sherwood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sherwood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 33,777 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.47% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Sherwood
Advantages
The cost of living in Sherwood is 7% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Sherwood boasts a strong job market with employment growing at a rate of 5.52% from 2023 to 2024.
The city offers numerous parks and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and family fun.
Public schools in Sherwood are rated above average, contributing to a family-friendly environment.
The homeownership rate in Sherwood is 70.8%, higher than the national average, indicating a stable community.
Drawbacks
Sherwood's overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with a safety grade of D.
The city is largely car-dependent, with minimal public transportation options and low walkability scores.
Residents note a limited selection of nightlife and diverse entertainment options within Sherwood itself.
Violent crime rates in Sherwood are 77% higher than the national average.
While growing, the city's economic base is still developing, with a focus on a few key industries.
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
Sherwood
#408Arkansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,345
Avg Salary
$46,462
Cost Index
93
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/100
Walkability
20.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
64.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.47%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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