City Comparison
Springdale vs Pine Bluff
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springdale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springdale
Pine Bluff
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Springdale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springdale's average rent is
61% higher than Pine Bluff's.
| Metric | Springdale | Pine Bluff | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,169 | $728 | +61% |
| Groceries | $400 | $340 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,089 | $1,553 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springdale offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springdale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Springdale is estimated at
$48,000 vs $38,000 in Pine Bluff.
| Metric | Springdale | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,200 | $44,500 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,522 idx | 57,051 idx |
| Household Income | $69,787 | $42,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pine Bluff runs warmer on average — a 5.9°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Springdale sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Springdale | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.00°F | 65.90°F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | 29.70°F | 36.30°F |
| Rainfall | 43.00 in | 48.40 in |
| Snowfall | 9.00 in | 8.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 259 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Springdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Springdale | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springdale is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Pine Bluff.
From a growth perspective, Springdale is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springdale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Springdale | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,685 | 38,213 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | — |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 7.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Springdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at $69,787, providing solid earning potential relative to the local cost of living.
Average monthly rent for apartments is approximately $1,169, remaining well below the national average.
Proximity to major corporate headquarters like Tyson Foods drives robust local employment and career stability.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including direct connectivity to the Razorback Regional Greenway trail system.
A vibrant, multicultural community offering diverse dining, cultural events, and a young median age of 32.3 years.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside the downtown core.
Competitive local real estate market driven by rapid population growth across the Northwest Arkansas region.
Poverty rate stands at approximately 13.4%, highlighting economic disparities within certain sectors.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along primary regional corridors like Interstate 49.
Summer humidity can be intense, matching typical regional Ozark climate patterns.
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.
Springdale
#106Arkansas, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,169
Avg Salary
$61,200
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
73
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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