City Comparison
Texarkana vs Paragould
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Paragould scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Texarkana
Paragould
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paragould is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Texarkana.
| Metric | Texarkana | Paragould | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $899 | $950 | -5% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $290 | $180 | +61% |
| Transport | $400 | $120 | +233% |
| Healthcare | $207 | $250 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $2,246 | $1,950 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 74 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Texarkana offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Paragould delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Texarkana is estimated at
$29,592 vs $66,000 in Paragould.
| Metric | Texarkana | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,800 | $41,176 |
| Salary Needed | $29,592 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,213 idx | 55,643 idx |
| Household Income | $45,835 | $56,980 |
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 | Texarkana | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Paragould.
Texarkana scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Texarkana | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Paragould is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Texarkana.
From a growth perspective, Paragould is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Paragould has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Texarkana | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,070 | 31,135 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Paragould
Advantages
Paragould's cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it highly affordable.
The city is experiencing significant growth, ranking among Arkansas's fastest-growing cities with a 1.2% annual population increase.
Residents have access to highly-rated school districts and a modern community center with an aquatic park.
The local economy shows strong employment growth, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are available, including state parks, hiking trails, and fishing lakes.
Drawbacks
Some healthcare quality metrics, such as pulmonary mortality at the main hospital, have been rated 'worse than expected'.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit options and an average commute time of 22.8 minutes.
While overall cost of living is low, certain utility costs for renters can be higher than the national average.
The median individual income is lower than the median household income, suggesting a need for dual-income households or careful budgeting for single earners.
Walkability and transit scores are likely low due to the car-centric nature of the city, limiting options for those without personal vehicles.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Paragould
#240Arkansas, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$41,176
Cost Index
74
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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