City Comparison
Springdale vs Russellville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springdale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springdale
Russellville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Russellville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Springdale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springdale's average rent is
46% higher than Russellville's.
| Metric | Springdale | Russellville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,169 | $800 | +46% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,089 | $1,665 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springdale offers 28% 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 $42,000 in Russellville.
| Metric | Springdale | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,200 | $47,991 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,522 idx | 58,526 idx |
| Household Income | $69,787 | $50,877 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Springdale runs warmer on average — a 60°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Springdale comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Springdale sees 9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Springdale | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Russellville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Springdale.
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 | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springdale is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Russellville.
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 | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,685 | 29,521 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 30.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.10% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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