City Comparison
Conway vs West Memphis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Conway scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Conway
West Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Conway is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in West Memphis.
| Metric | Conway | West Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,103 | $1,200 | -8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,983 | $2,075 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Conway offers 29% 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 $42,000 in West Memphis.
| Metric | Conway | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,442 idx | 53,571 idx |
| Household Income | $63,004 | $42,674 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Conway | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Conway is the larger city
— approximately 3x the population of West Memphis.
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,328 | 23,929 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | — |
| Median Age | 30.3 | 34.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.90% |
| 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.
West Memphis
Advantages
Median property value is highly affordable at around $120,100 per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic geographic logistics hub offering rapid access to major interstates 40 and 55.
Short average commute times of approximately 20 minutes for local workers.
Close proximity to the cultural and entertainment amenities of metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee.
Active local educational and workforce training presence through Arkansas State University Mid-South.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails the national average, standing at roughly $42,674 per Census reports.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with approximately 29.1% of individuals living below the poverty line.
Property crime rates and overall public safety statistics present ongoing challenges for residents.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates a high dependency on personal vehicles.
Local health indicators reflect higher-than-average rates of chronic health challenges.
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
West Memphis
#503Arkansas, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
61
Business
65
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