City Comparison
Bentonville vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bentonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bentonville
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jacksonville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Bentonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bentonville's average rent is
60% higher than Jacksonville's.
| Metric | Bentonville | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,250 | +60% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,920 | $2,250 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bentonville offers 152% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bentonville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bentonville is estimated at
$65,000 vs $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Bentonville | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,471 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $112,792 | $49,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bentonville runs warmer on average — a 59.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bentonville comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bentonville sees 11.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bentonville | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Bentonville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bentonville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bentonville | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bentonville is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Bentonville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bentonville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bentonville | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,249 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.81% | — |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bentonville
Advantages
Median household income stands at an impressive $112,792 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Home to world-class cultural attractions like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art with free admission.
Extensive network of over 100 miles of world-renowned mountain biking and multi-use greenway trails.
Consistently low local unemployment rate tracking around 2.4% per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Exceptional community safety metrics ranking significantly higher than national and state crime averages.
Drawbacks
Rapid housing demand has driven average property values and rental rates significantly higher than the Arkansas state average.
Traffic congestion peaks noticeably around major corporate and supplier headquarters during traditional rush hours.
Public transportation options are sparse, making personal vehicle ownership virtually essential for daily life.
Cost of living index sits above state averages, creating affordability pressures for lower-income service workers.
Limited traditional nightlife beyond craft breweries and dining centered around the downtown square.
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bentonville
#9Arkansas, USA
75.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
59.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.81%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
85
Business
86
Jacksonville
#349Arkansas, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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