City Comparison
Conway vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Conway scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Conway
Texarkana
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Conway is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Texarkana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Conway's average rent is
23% higher than Texarkana's.
| Metric | Conway | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,103 | $899 | +23% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $290 | -41% |
| Transport | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $207 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $1,983 | $2,246 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Conway offers 32% 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 $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | Conway | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,442 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $63,004 | $45,835 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Texarkana runs warmer on average — a 67.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Texarkana comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Texarkana sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Conway | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 67.30°F |
| Summer High | °F | 93.60°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Conway.
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 | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Conway is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Texarkana.
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 | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,328 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | — |
| Median Age | 30.3 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Texarkana
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Texarkana is 11% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with median home prices 31.7% below the national average and rent prices 21.5% lower.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 13 minutes, less than half the national average.
The city has a robust healthcare infrastructure, including two major hospitals and various specialty clinics.
Texarkana offers a blend of small-town charm with access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Drawbacks
Texarkana has a high crime rate, with violent crimes 129% higher than the national average, resulting in a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.18% in 2026.
The poverty rate in Texarkana is 25.8%, significantly higher than the national average.
Utilities are about 20% higher than the Arkansas city average, primarily driven by electric rates.
The city has high car dependency due to limited public transit and walkability options.
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
Texarkana
#459Arkansas, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$899
Avg Salary
$43,800
Cost Index
89
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
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