City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs Benton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Benton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
Benton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Benton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
21% lower than Benton's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Benton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $917 | -21% |
| Groceries | $340 | $400 | -15% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $200 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $1,847 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pine Bluff offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pine Bluff delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pine Bluff is estimated at
$38,000 vs $55,000 in Benton.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $43,632 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 47,426 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $72,876 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pine Bluff runs warmer on average — a 65.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pine Bluff comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pine Bluff has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Benton.
Benton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Benton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pine Bluff is the larger city
.
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 | Pine Bluff | Benton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 36,595 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 3.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pine Bluff
Advantages
Median home values and average rents are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Cost of living index is significantly below the U.S. baseline, providing high purchasing power for essentials.
Abundant outdoor recreational access including the Delta Rivers Nature Center and Arkansas River proximity.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Presence of higher education institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff enriching community culture.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property and violent crime indices, trend higher than the national average.
Economic growth and job diversification have faced historical stagnation relative to northwest Arkansas.
Low walkability and limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily tasks.
Higher-than-average poverty rates present ongoing socioeconomic challenges for local development.
Limited high-end entertainment and upscale dining options within city limits.
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.
Pine Bluff
#556Arkansas, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$728
Avg Salary
$44,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
59
Business
52
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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