City Comparison
Conway vs Springdale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Conway scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Conway
Springdale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Conway is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Springdale.
| Metric | Conway | Springdale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,103 | $1,169 | -6% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,983 | $2,089 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springdale offers 5% lower 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 Springdale.
| Metric | Conway | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $61,200 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,442 idx | 66,522 idx |
| Household Income | $63,004 | $69,787 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Springdale runs warmer on average — a 60°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Springdale comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Springdale sees 9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Conway | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 60.00°F |
| Summer High | °F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 29.70°F |
| Rainfall | in | 43.00 in |
| Snowfall | in | 9.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Springdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Conway | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springdale is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Conway.
From a growth perspective, Conway is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springdale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Conway | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,328 | 90,685 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 1.15% |
| Median Age | 30.3 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.40% |
| 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.
Springdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at $69,787, providing solid earning potential relative to the local cost of living.
Average monthly rent for apartments is approximately $1,169, remaining well below the national average.
Proximity to major corporate headquarters like Tyson Foods drives robust local employment and career stability.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including direct connectivity to the Razorback Regional Greenway trail system.
A vibrant, multicultural community offering diverse dining, cultural events, and a young median age of 32.3 years.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside the downtown core.
Competitive local real estate market driven by rapid population growth across the Northwest Arkansas region.
Poverty rate stands at approximately 13.4%, highlighting economic disparities within certain sectors.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along primary regional corridors like Interstate 49.
Summer humidity can be intense, matching typical regional Ozark climate patterns.
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
Springdale
#106Arkansas, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,169
Avg Salary
$61,200
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
73
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