CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is significantly cheaper than Aurora — 17.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $66,300 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing52.0%
Aurora
112
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries12.8%
Aurora
107.3
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Aurora
105.5
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare5.2%
Aurora
95.5
Jonesboro
90.5
Utilities10.3%
Aurora
83.6
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$66,300
$13,700 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8292. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Jonesboro, AR

Median Home Price
$196,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
53.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.3×

Aurora has 52.0% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Jonesboro, AR

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
77,678
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Jonesboro, AR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.