City Comparison
Russellville vs West Memphis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Russellville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Russellville
West Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Russellville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in West Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Russellville's average rent is
33% lower than West Memphis's.
| Metric | Russellville | West Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $1,200 | -33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $165 | $165 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,665 | $2,075 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Russellville offers 7% 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 $42,000 in West Memphis.
| Metric | Russellville | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,991 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 53,571 idx |
| Household Income | $50,877 | $42,674 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Russellville | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Russellville is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of West Memphis.
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,521 | 23,929 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.32% | — |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 34.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.90% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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