City Comparison
West Memphis vs Benton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Benton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Memphis
Benton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Benton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in West Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Memphis's average rent is
31% higher than Benton's.
| Metric | West Memphis | Benton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $917 | +31% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,075 | $1,847 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 92 | 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 $55,000 in Benton.
| Metric | West Memphis | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $43,632 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,571 idx | 47,426 idx |
| Household Income | $42,674 | $72,876 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | West Memphis | 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
West Memphis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Benton.
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 | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Benton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of West Memphis.
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 | West Memphis | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,929 | 36,595 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 3.00% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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