City Comparison
Russellville vs Benton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Benton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Russellville
Benton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Russellville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Benton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Russellville's average rent is
13% lower than Benton's.
| Metric | Russellville | Benton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $917 | -13% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $200 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,665 | $1,847 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Russellville offers 10% 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 $55,000 in Benton.
| Metric | Russellville | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,991 | $43,632 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 47,426 idx |
| Household Income | $50,877 | $72,876 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Russellville | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Russellville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Benton.
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 | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Benton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Russellville.
From a growth perspective, Benton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Benton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Russellville | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,521 | 36,595 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.32% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.00% |
| 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.
Benton
Advantages
The cost of living in Benton is approximately 8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Benton boasts a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
The city has experienced significant economic growth, with Benton County seeing a 15.5% increase in average weekly wages in 2024.
Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton holds an 'A' safety grade and has received awards for cardiac care, indicating high-quality healthcare access.
Benton offers a small-town charm with convenient access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby Little Rock.
Drawbacks
Benton has a low Walk Score of 30/100 and is largely car-dependent, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The city has a high flood risk in certain areas, potentially requiring mandatory flood insurance and higher utility costs.
Benton's violent crime rate of 414.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is 18% above the national average.
Public transit options are very limited, with only about 0.1% of residents using it for commuting.
Commutes to major job centers like Little Rock can take 30-45 minutes, which might be a drawback for some residents.
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
Benton
#203Arkansas, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$43,632
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
66
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Russellville and Benton.
Open Cost Calculator