CostIndexUSA

Jonesboro, AR vs New Orleans, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
LA
New Orleans
92.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than New Orleans — 7.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jonesboro, you would need $86,200 in New Orleans. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+59.9%
Jonesboro
53.8
New Orleans
86
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Jonesboro
93.6
New Orleans
93.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Jonesboro
100.1
New Orleans
100.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Jonesboro
90.5
New Orleans
90.9
⚡ Utilities−5.1%
Jonesboro
75
New Orleans
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$86,200
$6,200 more needed in New Orleans

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.0780. 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×

New Orleans, LA

Median Home Price
$253,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
86
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4×

New Orleans has 59.9% 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

New Orleans, LA

Median Household Income
$61,000
Per Capita Income
$34,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
383,997
Top Industries
TourismEnergyHealthcareShippingEntertainment

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)

New Orleans, LA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

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

New Orleans vs other cities

New Orleans, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 92.6Index: 90.8
New Orleans, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 92.6Index: 87.2
New Orleans, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 92.6Index: 85.9
New Orleans, LA
vs
Bakersfield, CA
Index: 92.6Index: 100.9
New Orleans, LA
vs
Arlington, TX
Index: 92.6Index: 103.1

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.