CostIndexUSA

Fargo, ND vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ND
Fargo
90.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than Fargo — 5.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $75,600 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.7%
Fargo
81.1
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries2.2%
Fargo
95.7
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Fargo
95.9
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Fargo
86.8
Jonesboro
90.5
Utilities3.0%
Fargo
77.3
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$75,600
$4,400 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 90.9) = salary × 0.9450. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fargo, ND

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
81.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.7×

Jonesboro, AR

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

Fargo has 33.7% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Fargo, ND

Median Household Income
$72,900
Per Capita Income
$41,600
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
125,990
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationTechnologyRetail

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).

Fargo, ND
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% 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.