City Comparison
Springdale vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springdale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springdale
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springdale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Springdale | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,169 | $1,250 | -6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,089 | $2,250 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springdale offers 98% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springdale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Springdale is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Springdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,200 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,522 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $69,787 | $49,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Springdale runs warmer on average — a 60°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Springdale comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Springdale sees 9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Springdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Springdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Springdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springdale is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Springdale is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springdale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Springdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,685 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | — |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Springdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at $69,787, providing solid earning potential relative to the local cost of living.
Average monthly rent for apartments is approximately $1,169, remaining well below the national average.
Proximity to major corporate headquarters like Tyson Foods drives robust local employment and career stability.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including direct connectivity to the Razorback Regional Greenway trail system.
A vibrant, multicultural community offering diverse dining, cultural events, and a young median age of 32.3 years.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside the downtown core.
Competitive local real estate market driven by rapid population growth across the Northwest Arkansas region.
Poverty rate stands at approximately 13.4%, highlighting economic disparities within certain sectors.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along primary regional corridors like Interstate 49.
Summer humidity can be intense, matching typical regional Ozark climate patterns.
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Springdale
#106Arkansas, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,169
Avg Salary
$61,200
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
73
Jacksonville
#349Arkansas, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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