City Comparison
West Memphis vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Texarkana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Memphis
Texarkana
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 Texarkana.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Memphis's average rent is
33% higher than Texarkana's.
| Metric | West Memphis | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $899 | +33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $290 | -43% |
| Transport | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $207 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,075 | $2,246 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Memphis offers 3% 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 $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | West Memphis | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,571 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $42,674 | $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 | West Memphis | 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
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to West Memphis.
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 | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Texarkana 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, Texarkana has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Memphis | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,929 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 4.90% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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