CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is significantly cheaper than Baltimore — 17.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $65,800 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing54.5%
Baltimore
118.2
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Baltimore
102.4
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Baltimore
106.6
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare6.1%
Baltimore
96.4
Jonesboro
90.5
Utilities31.9%
Baltimore
110.2
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Jonesboro to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$65,800
$14,200 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.8220. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Jonesboro, AR

Median Home Price
$196,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
53.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.3×

Baltimore has 54.5% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Jonesboro, AR

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
77,678
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Jonesboro, AR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.