CostIndexUSA

Jonesboro, AR vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
NC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than Winston-Salem — 7.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jonesboro, you would need $85,700 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+32.7%
Jonesboro
53.8
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries+3.2%
Jonesboro
93.6
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation+3.0%
Jonesboro
100.1
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare+3.1%
Jonesboro
90.5
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities+17.9%
Jonesboro
75
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$85,700
$5,700 more needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.0710. 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×

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Home Price
$355,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.5×

Winston-Salem has 32.7% 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

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Household Income
$64,400
Per Capita Income
$36,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
247,945
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceEducationGovernment

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)

Winston-Salem, NC
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.