City Comparison
Conway vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Conway scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Conway
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Conway is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Jacksonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Conway's average rent is
12% lower than Jacksonville's.
| Metric | Conway | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,103 | $1,250 | -12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,983 | $2,250 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Conway offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Conway delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Conway is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Conway | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,442 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $63,004 | $49,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Conway | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Conway scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Conway leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Conway | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Conway is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Conway is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Conway has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Conway | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,328 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | — |
| Median Age | 30.3 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Conway
Advantages
Conway's median home value (~$250,644) is substantially lower than the national median, offering affordable homeownership.
Rapid population growth exceeding national municipal medians reflects strong economic vitality and high desirability.
Employment growth outpaces the national average driven by expansions in manufacturing, tech, and coffee processing.
Host to three higher-education institutions ('City of Colleges'), providing an educated workforce and rich cultural events.
Short average commute times well below the U.S. national average enhance daily work-life balance.
Drawbacks
Housing demand has created a notable residential lot and inventory shortage, putting upward pressure on prices.
Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicle ownership a near-necessity for daily life.
Poverty rate sits near 16.9%, reflecting economic disparities common in growing regional hubs.
Hot and humid summer climates can lead to elevated seasonal electricity bills for home cooling.
Certain specialized retail and entertainment options still require trips into the nearby Little Rock metropolitan area.
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.
Conway
#87Arkansas, USA
68.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,103
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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