CostIndexUSA

Jonesboro, AR vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Jonesboro is dramatically cheaper than Pasadena — 32.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jonesboro, you would need $105,800 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+216.7%
Jonesboro
53.8
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.9%
Jonesboro
93.6
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+9.5%
Jonesboro
100.1
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+9.5%
Jonesboro
90.5
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+111.5%
Jonesboro
75
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$105,800
$25,800 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.3225. 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×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 216.7% 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

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

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)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.