CostIndexUSA

Jonesboro, AR vs Rockford, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Jonesboro
85.9
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
IL
Rockford
92.2
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Jonesboro is moderately cheaper than Rockford — 7.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jonesboro, you would need $85,900 in Rockford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+30.3%
Jonesboro
53.8
Rockford
70.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Jonesboro
93.6
Rockford
93.6
🚗 Transportation+4.5%
Jonesboro
100.1
Rockford
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.5%
Jonesboro
90.5
Rockford
94.6
Utilities+19.2%
Jonesboro
75
Rockford
89.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$85,900
$5,900 more needed in Rockford

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.0733. 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×

Rockford, IL

Median Home Price
$206,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
70.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.3×

Rockford has 30.3% 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

Rockford, IL

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
148,123
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceRetailEducation

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)

Rockford, IL
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.