CostIndexUSA

Jonesboro, AR vs Lancaster, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

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

To match an $80,000 salary in Jonesboro, you would need $91,600 in Lancaster. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+74.3%
Jonesboro
53.8
Lancaster
93.8
🛒 Groceries+7.6%
Jonesboro
93.6
Lancaster
100.7
🚗 Transportation+2.5%
Jonesboro
100.1
Lancaster
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+2.5%
Jonesboro
90.5
Lancaster
92.8
Utilities+43.1%
Jonesboro
75
Lancaster
107.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lancaster, PA
$91,600
$11,600 more needed in Lancaster

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.1444. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jonesboro, AR

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

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Lancaster has 74.3% higher housing costs compared to Jonesboro.

Income & Job Market

Jonesboro, AR

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

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

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

Jonesboro, AR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.