City Comparison
Conway vs Sherwood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Conway scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Conway
Sherwood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Conway is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Sherwood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Conway's average rent is
18% lower than Sherwood's.
| Metric | Conway | Sherwood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,103 | $1,345 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $213 | -20% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,983 | $2,248 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Conway offers 25% 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 $55,000 in Sherwood.
| Metric | Conway | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $46,462 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,442 idx | 49,959 idx |
| Household Income | $63,004 | $81,328 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sherwood runs warmer on average — a 64.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sherwood comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sherwood sees 9.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Conway | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 64.80°F |
| Summer High | °F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 34.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 48.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 9.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Conway is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Sherwood.
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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,328 | 33,777 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 0.47% |
| Median Age | 30.3 | 39.9 |
| 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.
Sherwood
Advantages
The cost of living in Sherwood is 7% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Sherwood boasts a strong job market with employment growing at a rate of 5.52% from 2023 to 2024.
The city offers numerous parks and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and family fun.
Public schools in Sherwood are rated above average, contributing to a family-friendly environment.
The homeownership rate in Sherwood is 70.8%, higher than the national average, indicating a stable community.
Drawbacks
Sherwood's overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with a safety grade of D.
The city is largely car-dependent, with minimal public transportation options and low walkability scores.
Residents note a limited selection of nightlife and diverse entertainment options within Sherwood itself.
Violent crime rates in Sherwood are 77% higher than the national average.
While growing, the city's economic base is still developing, with a focus on a few key industries.
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
Sherwood
#408Arkansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,345
Avg Salary
$46,462
Cost Index
93
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/100
Walkability
20.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
64.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.47%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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