CostIndexUSA

Jonesboro, AR vs Little Rock, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
AR
Little Rock
89.4
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Jonesboro is slightly cheaper than Little Rock — 4.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jonesboro, you would need $83,300 in Little Rock. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+27.0%
Jonesboro
53.8
Little Rock
68.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Jonesboro
93.6
Little Rock
93.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Jonesboro
100.1
Little Rock
100.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Jonesboro
90.5
Little Rock
90.5
Utilities≈ Equal
Jonesboro
75
Little Rock
74.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Little Rock, AR
$83,300
$3,300 more needed in Little Rock

Formula: salary × (89.4 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.0407. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jonesboro, AR

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

Little Rock, AR

Median Home Price
$222,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Little Rock has 27.0% higher housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Jonesboro, AR

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

Little Rock, AR

Median Household Income
$66,200
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
202,591
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailFinanceManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Jonesboro, AR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Little Rock, AR
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.