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Springdale vs West Memphis

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Arkansas, USA
View Springdale profile
#106 in USA
67
Overall Score
VS
Arkansas, USA
View West Memphis profile
#503 in USA
52
Overall Score
Springdale scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Springdale
West Memphis
Livability
75
61
Affordability
72
88
Business
73
65
Growth
78
58

Cost of Living

West Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 1% lower than in Springdale.
MetricSpringdaleWest MemphisDiff
Average Rent
$1,169$1,200-3%
Groceries
$400$380+5%
Utilities
$180$165+9%
Transport
$110$1100%
Healthcare
$230$220+5%
Monthly Total
$2,089$2,075+1%
Cost Index
9284out of 100

Salary & Income

Springdale offers 36% 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 West Memphis.
MetricSpringdaleWest Memphis
Average Salary
$61,200$45,000
Salary Needed
$48,000$42,000
Purchasing Power
66,522 idx53,571 idx
Household Income
$69,787$42,674

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.
MetricSpringdaleWest Memphis
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%

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.
MetricSpringdaleWest Memphis
Commute Time
21 min20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10035.0/100
Walkability
58.0/10042.0/100
Traffic Index
42.0040.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Springdale is the larger city — approximately 3.8x the population of West Memphis. 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.
MetricSpringdaleWest Memphis
Population
90,68523,929
Pop. Growth
1.15%—
Median Age
32.334.1
Unemployment
3.40%5.90%
GDP
——

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.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Springdale
#106
Arkansas, 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
View Full Profile
West Memphis
#503
Arkansas, 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
View Full Profile

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