City Comparison
Russellville vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Russellville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Russellville
Texarkana
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Russellville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Texarkana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Russellville's average rent is
11% lower than Texarkana's.
| Metric | Russellville | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $899 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $290 | -43% |
| Transport | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $207 | +1% |
| Monthly Total | $1,665 | $2,246 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Russellville offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Russellville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Russellville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | Russellville | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,991 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $50,877 | $45,835 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Texarkana runs warmer on average — a 67.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Texarkana comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Texarkana sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Russellville | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 67.30°F |
| Summer High | °F | 93.60°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Russellville.
Russellville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Russellville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Russellville | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Russellville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Russellville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Russellville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Russellville | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,521 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.32% | — |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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