City Comparison
Springdale vs North Little Rock
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springdale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springdale
North Little Rock
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Springdale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springdale's average rent is
11% higher than North Little Rock's.
| Metric | Springdale | North Little Rock | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,169 | $1,053 | +11% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,089 | $1,948 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springdale offers 6% 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 $48,000 in North Little Rock.
| Metric | Springdale | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,200 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,522 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $69,787 | $52,707 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 5.3°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — North Little Rock sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Springdale | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.00°F | 65.30°F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | 92.90°F |
| Winter Low | 29.70°F | 35.10°F |
| Rainfall | 43.00 in | 46.20 in |
| Snowfall | 9.00 in | 10.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 255 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 19.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springdale is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of North Little Rock.
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 | North Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,685 | 65,120 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.60% |
| 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.
North Little Rock
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $1,053 is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly accessible per Zillow 2026 data
Median home property values remain near $178,900, offering strong affordability for first-time buyers per U.S. Census Bureau data
Vibrant cultural scene anchored by the Argenta Arts District, offering local dining, galleries, and entertainment venues
Short average commute times of approximately 19.8 minutes facilitate easy daily travel per Census data
Abundant outdoor amenities, including direct access to the Arkansas River Trail system and Dickey-Stephens Park
Drawbacks
Poverty rate of 20.3% sits above the national average per recent U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high car dependency with a low transit score
Violent and property crime rates in certain specific city sectors require careful neighborhood selection
Lower median household income of $52,707 compared to national benchmarks per Census data
Local summer temperatures frequently peak above 90°F, creating high cooling energy demands during peak months
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
North Little Rock
#436Arkansas, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,053
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
19.0/100
Walkability
32.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
73
Business
69
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