City Comparison
Conway vs Little Rock
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Conway scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Conway
Little Rock
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Conway is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Little Rock.
| Metric | Conway | Little Rock | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,103 | $1,200 | -8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,983 | $2,120 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Conway offers similar 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 $48,000 in Little Rock.
| Metric | Conway | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $57,980 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,442 idx | 65,146 idx |
| Household Income | $63,004 | $63,003 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Little Rock comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Conway | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 65.30°F |
| Summer High | °F | 92.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 35.10°F |
| Rainfall | in | 46.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 10.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Conway leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Conway | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Conway.
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 | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,328 | 206,427 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 0.41% |
| Median Age | 30.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Little Rock
Advantages
Cost of living runs roughly 11% below the U.S. national average per BEA and regional economic data.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national median, offering high housing accessibility.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail.
Thriving healthcare sector anchored by major institutions like UAMS and Baptist Health.
Shorter average commute times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain parts of the city remain higher than the national median.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with notable humidity levels.
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state and national benchmarks.
Local average wages trail behind major coastal economic hubs.
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
Little Rock
#380Arkansas, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$57,980
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.41%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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