CostIndexUSA

Baton Rouge, LA vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

LA
Baton Rouge
90.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than Baton Rouge — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baton Rouge, you would need $75,700 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−27.5%
Baton Rouge
74.2
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Baton Rouge
93.7
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Baton Rouge
100.5
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Baton Rouge
90.9
Jonesboro
90.5
⚡ Utilities+5.3%
Baton Rouge
71.2
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$75,700
$4,300 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 90.8) = salary × 0.9460. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baton Rouge, LA

Median Home Price
$240,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
74.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Jonesboro, AR

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

Baton Rouge has 27.5% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Baton Rouge, LA

Median Household Income
$64,600
Per Capita Income
$36,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
227,470
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

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).

Baton Rouge, LA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Jonesboro, AR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Baton Rouge vs other cities

Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 87.2
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 85.9
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Monroe, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 83.6
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Richmond, VA
Index: 90.8Index: 97.9
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Santa Clarita, CA
Index: 90.8Index: 113.6

Jonesboro vs other cities

Jonesboro, AR
vs
Fayetteville, AR
Index: 85.9Index: 91.4
Jonesboro, AR
vs
Fort Smith, AR
Index: 85.9Index: 85.9
Jonesboro, AR
vs
Little Rock, AR
Index: 85.9Index: 89.4
Jonesboro, AR
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 85.9Index: 85.9
Jonesboro, AR
vs
Appleton, WI
Index: 85.9Index: 92.4

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.