salaryJonesboro is the 5th-largest city in Arkansas that we track, with 80,137 residents. Rent is lower than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $38,600 a year. That is $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Arkansas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Arkansas. It is number 29 of 71 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Jonesboro?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Jonesboro
| Size | Jonesboro | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $861 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $801 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $999 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,286 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,145 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Jonesboro overall?
Everyday prices in the Jonesboro metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Jonesboro
Life in Jonesboro
What jobs pay in Jonesboro
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | 8.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,760 | 9.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $117,660 | 9.8% |
| Lawyer | $92,510 | 12.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,650 | 13.4% |
| Software Developer | $84,990 | 13.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $81,960 | 14.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,330 | 14.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | 14.7% |
| Operations Manager | $69,370 | 16.7% |
| Accountant | $66,000 | 17.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $56,270 | 20.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $50,980 | 22.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $50,900 | 22.8% |
| Police Officer | $49,570 | 23.4% |
| Electrician | $48,740 | 23.8% |
| Truck Driver | $47,670 | 24.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $47,230 | 24.5% |
| Plumber | $47,030 | 24.6% |
| Carpenter | $43,950 | 26.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,500 | 30.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,190 | 31.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,770 | 31.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,210 | 32.9% |
| Firefighter | $34,630 | 33.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,190 | 38.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,960 | 40.0% |
| Cashier | $28,090 | 41.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $24,680 | 46.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Jonesboro?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $584 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $223,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,320 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Jonesboro, AR?
Renting in Jonesboro costs a median of about $965 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Arkansas median is $1,068.
How much do I need to make to live in Jonesboro?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $38,600 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Jonesboro cheap or expensive?
Jonesboro is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.4% of the typical household income of $59,775. It ranks 29th cheapest of 71 Arkansas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Jonesboro?
The median homeowner in Jonesboro pays $1,239 a year in property taxes, about 0.56% of the median home value.
Is Jonesboro more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Jonesboro?
The median home value in Jonesboro is $223,200, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
80,137 people live in Jonesboro. Numbers are typical (middle) values.