City Comparison
Little Rock vs Benton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Benton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Little Rock
Benton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Benton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Little Rock.
Housing costs are a major driver: Little Rock's average rent is
31% higher than Benton's.
| Metric | Little Rock | Benton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $917 | +31% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,120 | $1,847 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Little Rock offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Little Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Little Rock is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Benton.
| Metric | Little Rock | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,980 | $43,632 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,146 idx | 47,426 idx |
| Household Income | $63,003 | $72,876 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Little Rock comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Little Rock | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Little Rock has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Benton.
Little Rock scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Little Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Little Rock | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 5.6x the population of Benton.
From a growth perspective, Benton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Benton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Little Rock | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,427 | 36,595 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.41% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Little Rock
Advantages
Cost of living runs roughly 11% below the U.S. national average per BEA and regional economic data.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national median, offering high housing accessibility.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail.
Thriving healthcare sector anchored by major institutions like UAMS and Baptist Health.
Shorter average commute times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain parts of the city remain higher than the national median.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with notable humidity levels.
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state and national benchmarks.
Local average wages trail behind major coastal economic hubs.
Benton
Advantages
The cost of living in Benton is approximately 8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Benton boasts a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
The city has experienced significant economic growth, with Benton County seeing a 15.5% increase in average weekly wages in 2024.
Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton holds an 'A' safety grade and has received awards for cardiac care, indicating high-quality healthcare access.
Benton offers a small-town charm with convenient access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby Little Rock.
Drawbacks
Benton has a low Walk Score of 30/100 and is largely car-dependent, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The city has a high flood risk in certain areas, potentially requiring mandatory flood insurance and higher utility costs.
Benton's violent crime rate of 414.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is 18% above the national average.
Public transit options are very limited, with only about 0.1% of residents using it for commuting.
Commutes to major job centers like Little Rock can take 30-45 minutes, which might be a drawback for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Little Rock
#380Arkansas, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$57,980
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.41%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Benton
#203Arkansas, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$43,632
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
66
Business
70
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