CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than Durham — 12.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $70,400 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing45.6%
Durham
98.9
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries3.1%
Durham
96.6
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Durham
103.1
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Durham
93.3
Jonesboro
90.5
Utilities16.0%
Durham
89.3
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$70,400
$9,600 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 0.8801. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Durham, NC

Median Home Price
$402,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
98.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Jonesboro, AR

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

Durham has 45.6% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Durham, NC

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
278,993
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareEducationResearchFinance

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).

Durham, NC
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.