CostIndexUSA

Jonesboro, AR vs Macon, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
GA
Macon
88.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Jonesboro is slightly cheaper than Macon — 3.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jonesboro, you would need $82,400 in Macon. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+9.5%
Jonesboro
53.8
Macon
58.9
🛒 Groceries+2.9%
Jonesboro
93.6
Macon
96.3
🚗 Transportation+3.5%
Jonesboro
100.1
Macon
103.6
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Jonesboro
90.5
Macon
93.7
Utilities+19.3%
Jonesboro
75
Macon
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Macon, GA
$82,400
$2,400 more needed in Macon

Formula: salary × (88.5 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.0303. 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×

Macon, GA

Median Home Price
$190,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
58.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.2×

Macon has 9.5% 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

Macon, GA

Median Household Income
$59,800
Per Capita Income
$34,100
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
Population
157,346
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentLogisticsEducation

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)

Macon, GA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.