ArkansasPop. 67,642Smaller cities
Is Conway a Good Place to Live? Conway, Arkansas: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Conway ranks #903 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #376 of 524 smaller cities and #9 of 20 in Arkansas. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (89.4, #38 of 524) and low rents ($1,011/mo, #51 of 524), and trails on high violent crime (486 per 100,000, #366 of 444) and low household income ($63,004, #415 of 524).
Conway by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Conway's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Conway?
Conway's cost of living index is 89.4, 11% below the US level of 100 and #188 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,011/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $250,644, 10% above the typical Arkansas home ($227,264).
| Measure | Conway | ArkansasAR | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 89.4#188 of 1,308 | 86.9 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $250,644#253 of 1,187 | $227,264 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,359/mo#216 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $252,100#400 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $1,011/mo#231 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 4x#577 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 19.3%#361 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Arkansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Conway housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Conway is in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro.
Arkansas housing market →Is Conway safe?
Conway recorded 486 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 48% above the US rate of 328 and 9% below Arkansas's 532. That ranks #823 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #366 of 444 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Conway Police Department. Property crime runs 1,905 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Conway | ArkansasAR | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 264 · US 328 | 486#823 of 1,085 | 532 | 264 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,550 · US 1,548 | 1,905#668 of 1,085 | 1,645 | 1,550 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Arkansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Conway?
The median household in Conway earns $63,004, 24% below the US figure of $83,163 and 1% above Arkansas ($62,106). Unemployment is 3.6% (US 4.3%). 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 1.7% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Conway | ArkansasAR | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $83,163 | $63,004#975 of 1,312 | $62,106 | $83,646 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.3% | 3.6%#297 of 1,058 | 4.1% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 16.9%#974 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +1.7%#129 of 1,132 | +0.6% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Arkansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Conway?
The median resident of Conway is 30.3 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 42.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #396 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 45.4% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Conway | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 30.3 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 42.7%#396 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 45.4% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Conway's schools and health?
Conway's 16 public schools graduate 89% of students in four years (Arkansas 88.2%), with 16.2 students per teacher and $11,689 spent per pupil. 40.1% of adults are obese and 10.2% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Conway | ArkansasAR | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 89%#454 of 1,063 | 88.2% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 16.2#655 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $11,689#995 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 40.1%#1125 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 10.2%#440 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 19.9%#1156 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 9.7%#622 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Arkansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 10,174 students are enrolled in Conway's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Conway?
The average commute in Conway is 22.8 minutes (Arkansas 22.7); 0.2% of workers take transit and 9.9% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Conway scores 7.9 of 20 (below average walkable), #1084 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 79.1°F and winters 40.4°F, with 51.2 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Conway | ArkansasAR | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 22.8 min#572 of 1,312 | 22.7 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 4.8%#540 of 1,312 | 5.6% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 80.4% | 78.4% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 2% | 1.1% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 9.9% | 8.6% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 7.9#1084 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Arkansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49 | 27.1 | 3.8 |
| Feb | 54.1 | 30.4 | 4.2 |
| Mar | 63 | 39 | 5.3 |
| Apr | 72 | 47.4 | 5.4 |
| May | 79.4 | 57.5 | 5.6 |
| Jun | 87.3 | 66.1 | 3.6 |
| Jul | 91.7 | 69.6 | 3.4 |
| Aug | 91.4 | 68.4 | 3.5 |
| Sep | 84.7 | 60.5 | 3.1 |
| Oct | 73.9 | 48.3 | 4 |
| Nov | 61 | 37.7 | 4.6 |
| Dec | 51.6 | 30 | 4.7 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Conway.
| Measure | Conway | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 60°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 79.1°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 40.4°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 51.2 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Conway.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Conway?
The EPA has no air-quality monitor in Conway's county, so we have no air reading for it. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Faulkner County's biggest natural hazard losses in ice storm, earthquake, and winter weather, with expected yearly losses of 0.2% of building value, higher than 71% of US counties.
| Measure | Conway | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.2%#927 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Faulkner County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Faulkner County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Ice storm | 0.017% | 96% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.04% | 90% of counties |
| Winter weather | 0.0012% | 82% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.016% | 76% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.095% | 65% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.0015% | 63% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0019% | 47% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0014% | 41% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Conway compare with similar-size cities?
Conway is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #376 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 67,642.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conway, ARPop. 67,642 | #903 | 51.7 | $63,004 | $1,011/mo | 486 | 22.8 min |
| South Hill, WAPop. 68,025 | #801 | 53.3 | $113,130 | $2,088/mo | no data | 33.9 min |
| Eagan, MNPop. 68,000 | #162 | 65.7 | $108,690 | $1,679/mo | 130 | 21.2 min |
| Idaho Falls, IDPop. 67,725 | #448 | 59.0 | $73,110 | $1,075/mo | 301 | 18.9 min |
| Haverhill, MAPop. 67,698 | #444 | 59.1 | $88,326 | $1,668/mo | 330 | 27.4 min |
| Rockville, MDPop. 67,671 | #40 | 71.4 | $128,649 | $2,274/mo | 108 | 30.7 min |
| Ames, IAPop. 67,669 | #358 | 60.8 | $60,991 | $1,023/mo | 103 | 15.6 min |
| Lodi, CAPop. 67,607 | #990 | 50.3 | $88,530 | $1,680/mo | 493 | 24.1 min |
| Horizon West, FLPop. 67,416 | #217 | 64.0 | $127,335 | $2,464/mo | no data | 27.2 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Conway compare with the rest of Arkansas?
Conway ranks #9 of the 20 Arkansas cities we track, with a score of 51.7 against Arkansas's statewide 40.1. Its households earn 1% above the Arkansas median. Violent crime is 9% below the statewide rate. Homes are 10% above the typical Arkansas home.
| City | Rank in AR | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonville, ARPop. 58,249 | #1 | 68.2 | $112,792 | $1,344/mo | 174 |
| Bella Vista, ARPop. 31,697 | #2 | 66.0 | $88,055 | $1,395/mo | 167 |
| Rogers, ARPop. 72,981 | #3 | 61.5 | $86,728 | $1,270/mo | 273 |
| Fayetteville, ARPop. 99,319 | #4 | 57.4 | $62,695 | $1,065/mo | 446 |
| Benton, ARPop. 36,595 | #5 | 56.8 | $72,876 | $1,072/mo | 445 |
| Cabot, ARPop. 26,960 | #6 | 54.8 | $75,000 | $1,110/mo | 359 |
| Sherwood, ARPop. 33,070 | #7 | 54.3 | $81,328 | $1,101/mo | 611 |
| Springdale, ARPop. 88,160 | #8 | 54.2 | $69,787 | $1,071/mo | 527 |
| Conway, ARPop. 67,642 | #9 | 51.7 | $63,004 | $1,011/mo | 486 |
| Paragould, ARPop. 30,215 | #10 | 49.9 | $56,980 | $925/mo | 268 |
| Russellville, ARPop. 29,162 | #11 | 49.7 | $50,877 | $842/mo | 460 |
| Jonesboro, ARPop. 80,137 | #12 | 47.9 | $55,424 | $956/mo | 575 |
| Fort Smith, ARPop. 89,805 | #13 | 47.7 | $54,816 | $884/mo | 793 |
| Hot Springs, ARPop. 37,920 | #14 | 46.5 | $47,760 | $914/mo | 500 |
| Little Rock, ARPop. 203,436 | #15 | 45.3 | $63,003 | $1,106/mo | 1,485 |
| North Little Rock, ARPop. 64,538 | #16 | 42.4 | $52,707 | $1,069/mo | 960 |
| Jacksonville, ARPop. 29,221 | #17 | 41.9 | $49,666 | $930/mo | 971 |
| Texarkana, ARPop. 29,177 | #18 | 39.7 | $45,835 | $909/mo | 1,230 |
| West Memphis, ARPop. 23,929 | #19 | 35.3 | $42,674 | $870/mo | 1,785 |
| Pine Bluff, ARPop. 39,743 | #20 | 34.7 | $42,718 | $855/mo | 1,393 |
All 20 Arkansas cities we track, by overall score. Arkansas statewide: median income $62,106, violent crime 531.8 per 100,000.
How is Conway's score calculated?
Conway scores 51.7 out of 100, #903 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Arkansas's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Conway. Similar-size median 55.5.
49.8 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Conway's police agency. Similar-size median 77.8.
62.2 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Conway. Similar-size median 58.9.
43.0 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Conway's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
53.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Conway's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
81.0 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Conway. Similar-size median 56.1.
36.4 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Conway. Similar-size median 42.4.
59.6 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Conway. Similar-size median 50.0.
44.6 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Conway's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
36.3 - EnvironmentCity data, some inputs missing · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 50.8.
28.7 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Conway's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Conway has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Conway
Is Conway, AR a good place to live?
Conway ranks #903 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #376 of 524 smaller cities and #9 of 20 in Arkansas. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (89.4, #38 of 524) and low rents ($1,011/mo, #51 of 524), and trails on high violent crime (486 per 100,000, #366 of 444) and low household income ($63,004, #415 of 524).
What is the cost of living in Conway?
Conway's cost of living index is 89.4, 11% below the US level of 100 and #188 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,011/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $250,644, 10% above the typical Arkansas home ($227,264).
What is the crime rate in Conway?
Conway recorded 486 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 48% above the US rate of 328 and 9% below Arkansas's 532. That ranks #823 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #366 of 444 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Conway Police Department. Property crime runs 1,905 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Conway?
The median household in Conway earns $63,004, 24% below the US figure of $83,163 and 1% above Arkansas ($62,106). Unemployment is 3.6% (US 4.3%). 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 1.7% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Conway?
Median rent in Conway is $1,011/mo (Census), #231 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,359/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 19.3% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Conway?
The typical home value in Conway is $250,644, up 2.4% in a year, against $227,264 for Arkansas and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $252,100.
How are the public schools in Conway?
Conway's 16 public schools graduate 89% of students in four years (Arkansas 88.2%), with 16.2 students per teacher and $11,689 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Conway?
The average commute is 22.8 minutes, #572 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 22.7 minutes across Arkansas. 4.8% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Conway?
Conway averages 60°F over the year, 79.1°F in summer and 40.4°F in winter, with 51.2 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Conway walkable?
Conway scores 7.9 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #1084 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Conway at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Faulkner County's biggest natural hazard losses in ice storm, earthquake, and winter weather, with expected yearly losses of 0.2% of building value, higher than 71% of US counties.
Who lives in Conway?
Conway has 67,642 residents. The median resident of Conway is 30.3 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 42.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #396 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 45.4% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Conway compare with the rest of Arkansas?
Conway ranks #9 of the 20 Arkansas cities we track, with a score of 51.7 against Arkansas's statewide 40.1. Its households earn 1% above the Arkansas median. Violent crime is 9% below the statewide rate. Homes are 10% above the typical Arkansas home.
What cities are similar in size to Conway?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Conway's population of 67,642 are South Hill, WA (#801 overall), Eagan, MN (#162 overall), Idaho Falls, ID (#448 overall), Haverhill, MA (#444 overall), and Rockville, MD (#40 overall). Conway is #903.