CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than Boise — 12.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $69,800 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing49.1%
Boise
105.6
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries2.7%
Boise
96.2
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Boise
103.9
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Boise
94
Jonesboro
90.5
Utilities+6.1%
Boise
70.7
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$69,800
$10,200 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.8730. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boise, ID

Median Home Price
$479,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

Jonesboro, AR

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

Boise has 49.1% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Boise, ID

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
235,984
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingFinanceAgriculture

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).

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.