City Comparison
West Memphis vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jacksonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Memphis
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Jacksonville.
| Metric | West Memphis | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,250 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,075 | $2,250 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Memphis offers 45% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Memphis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in West Memphis is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | West Memphis | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,571 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $42,674 | $49,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | West Memphis | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | West Memphis | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jacksonville is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of West Memphis.
From a growth perspective, West Memphis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Memphis | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,929 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Jacksonville
#349Arkansas, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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