| Index | Jonesboro | Arkansas | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 87 | 67 | 100 |
| Transportation | 91 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 93 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 93 | 93 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 92 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Jonesboro is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Jonesboro is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Jonesboro aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Jonesboro residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 9 residents in Jonesboro to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 67% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 33% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Jonesboro an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Jonesboro, the median home price is 10.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 18.1% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Jonesboro come in at $69,432, which is 14.6% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Jonesboro, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Jonesboro, is 13% lower than the national average.
The Jonesboro cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $109,970 | $9,164 | $2,566 | $3,299 |
| Renters | $45,563 | $3,797 | $1,063 | $1,367 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 11.625% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arkansas | 2% | 4.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Egypt, AR | 42 | 78 | 22.0% |
| Cash, AR | 327 | 80 | 19.7% |
| Sedgwick, AR | 171 | 81 | 19.5% |
| Bay, AR | 2,423 | 84 | 16.4% |
| Trumann, AR | 7,269 | 84 | 16.3% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 79,653 | 92 | 7.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Kendall, FL | 79,660 | 131 | 30.7% |
| Saint-Jérôme, QC | 79,702 | n/a | |
| Waldorf, MD | 79,554 | 128 | 27.5% |
| Rapid City, SD | 79,549 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 79,542 | 94 | 5.8% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 79,653 | 92 | 7.8% |