CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 14.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $68,500 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.2%
Detroit
94.7
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries5.3%
Detroit
98.8
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation7.1%
Detroit
107.7
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare7.2%
Detroit
97.5
Jonesboro
90.5
Utilities29.9%
Detroit
107
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$68,500
$11,500 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.8564. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Jonesboro, AR

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

Detroit has 43.2% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

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).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.