City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs West Memphis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Memphis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
West Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in West Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
39% lower than West Memphis's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | West Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $1,200 | -39% |
| Groceries | $340 | $380 | -11% |
| Utilities | $165 | $165 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $2,075 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Memphis offers 1% 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 $42,000 in West Memphis.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 53,571 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $42,674 |
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 | Pine Bluff | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
West Memphis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Memphis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pine Bluff is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of West Memphis.
From a growth perspective, Pine Bluff is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Memphis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 23,929 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.1 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 5.90% |
| 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.
West Memphis
Advantages
Median property value is highly affordable at around $120,100 per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic geographic logistics hub offering rapid access to major interstates 40 and 55.
Short average commute times of approximately 20 minutes for local workers.
Close proximity to the cultural and entertainment amenities of metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee.
Active local educational and workforce training presence through Arkansas State University Mid-South.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails the national average, standing at roughly $42,674 per Census reports.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with approximately 29.1% of individuals living below the poverty line.
Property crime rates and overall public safety statistics present ongoing challenges for residents.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates a high dependency on personal vehicles.
Local health indicators reflect higher-than-average rates of chronic health challenges.
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
West Memphis
#503Arkansas, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
61
Business
65
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