City Comparison
Texarkana vs Benton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Benton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Texarkana
Benton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Benton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Texarkana.
| Metric | Texarkana | Benton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $899 | $917 | -2% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $290 | $180 | +61% |
| Transport | $400 | $150 | +167% |
| Healthcare | $207 | $200 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,246 | $1,847 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Texarkana offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Texarkana delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Texarkana is estimated at
$29,592 vs $55,000 in Benton.
| Metric | Texarkana | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,800 | $43,632 |
| Salary Needed | $29,592 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,213 idx | 47,426 idx |
| Household Income | $45,835 | $72,876 |
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 | Texarkana | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Benton.
For walkability, Texarkana leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Texarkana | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Benton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Texarkana.
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 | Texarkana | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,070 | 36,595 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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
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