CostIndexUSA

Jackson, MS vs Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Jonesboro is slightly cheaper than Jackson — 3.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $77,200 in Jonesboro. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing17.0%
Jackson
64.8
Jonesboro
53.8
🛒 Groceries2.7%
Jackson
96.2
Jonesboro
93.6
🚗 Transportation0.8%
Jackson
100.9
Jonesboro
100.1
🏥 Healthcare0.9%
Jackson
91.3
Jonesboro
90.5
Utilities4.0%
Jackson
78.1
Jonesboro
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jonesboro, AR
$77,200
$2,800 less needed in Jonesboro

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 89) = salary × 0.9652. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jackson, MS

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
64.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Jonesboro, AR

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

Jackson has 17.0% lower housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Jackson, MS

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
153,701
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingEducation

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).

Jackson, MS
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.