City Comparison
Conway vs Pine Bluff
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Conway scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Conway
Pine Bluff
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Conway.
Housing costs are a major driver: Conway's average rent is
52% higher than Pine Bluff's.
| Metric | Conway | Pine Bluff | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,103 | $728 | +52% |
| Groceries | $380 | $340 | +12% |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,983 | $1,553 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Conway offers 30% 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 $38,000 in Pine Bluff.
| Metric | Conway | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $44,500 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,442 idx | 57,051 idx |
| Household Income | $63,004 | $42,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pine Bluff runs warmer on average — a 65.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pine Bluff comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Conway | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 65.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 36.30°F |
| Rainfall | in | 48.40 in |
| Snowfall | in | 8.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 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 | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Conway is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Pine Bluff.
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 | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,328 | 38,213 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | — |
| Median Age | 30.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 7.00% |
| 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.
Pine Bluff
Advantages
Median home values and average rents are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Cost of living index is significantly below the U.S. baseline, providing high purchasing power for essentials.
Abundant outdoor recreational access including the Delta Rivers Nature Center and Arkansas River proximity.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Presence of higher education institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff enriching community culture.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property and violent crime indices, trend higher than the national average.
Economic growth and job diversification have faced historical stagnation relative to northwest Arkansas.
Low walkability and limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily tasks.
Higher-than-average poverty rates present ongoing socioeconomic challenges for local development.
Limited high-end entertainment and upscale dining options within city limits.
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
Pine Bluff
#556Arkansas, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$728
Avg Salary
$44,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
59
Business
52
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