Rows tagged local are specific to West Memphis (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Memphis, TN. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district West Memphis School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.9
metro-area
#58 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.3
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.23
metro-area
#55 of 200 metros
Median household income
$40,904
local
#3148 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$29,463
local
#3040 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
13.32%
local
#3179 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-3.2%
local
#2861 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$109,000
local
#87 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#418 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+0.1%
metro-area
#135 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$55
local
#57 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$800
local
#85 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
6,017
Median days on market
24
metro-area
#137 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.2%
state
#2 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
9.47%
state
#189 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.90%
Capital gains tax
3.90%
state
#1 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.62%
local
#426 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$673
local
#41 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,000
state
#17 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$7,500
state
#25 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$30
state
#13 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.02% of value (~$286/yr)
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
7
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#222 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.2¢/kWh
state
#32 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$127
state
#32 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#132 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#106 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,800
state
#129 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#149 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
56
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,700
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,600
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
54.9"
metro-area
#182 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
2.7"
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
64%
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
640
state
#185 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#157 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
37
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Parks
55
Hiking areas
12
Golf courses
18
Shooting ranges
5
Lakes
12
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.