City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Texarkana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
Texarkana
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 Texarkana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
19% lower than Texarkana's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $899 | -19% |
| Groceries | $340 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $165 | $290 | -43% |
| Transport | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $207 | +1% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $2,246 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pine Bluff offers 2% 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 $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $45,835 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 4.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 67.30°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 93.60°F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Pine Bluff.
Texarkana scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Texarkana leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pine Bluff is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Texarkana.
From a growth perspective, Pine Bluff is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Texarkana has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Texarkana
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Texarkana is 11% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with median home prices 31.7% below the national average and rent prices 21.5% lower.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 13 minutes, less than half the national average.
The city has a robust healthcare infrastructure, including two major hospitals and various specialty clinics.
Texarkana offers a blend of small-town charm with access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Drawbacks
Texarkana has a high crime rate, with violent crimes 129% higher than the national average, resulting in a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.18% in 2026.
The poverty rate in Texarkana is 25.8%, significantly higher than the national average.
Utilities are about 20% higher than the Arkansas city average, primarily driven by electric rates.
The city has high car dependency due to limited public transit and walkability options.
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
Texarkana
#459Arkansas, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$899
Avg Salary
$43,800
Cost Index
89
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
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