Living in Jonesboro, AR
Jonesboro is the 441st-largest city in the US, home to about 83,000 people in 2025. It has grown 6.1% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well below the national average (85.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 83,296+6.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $223,2004.0 years of median income
- Median rent
- $956/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $55,424median, per year
- Price level
- 85.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 47° / 91°lows 31° / 72°
- Average commute
- 18 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 3.9%top rate, graduated
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County: Craighead County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 325 ft
Metro area: Jonesboro, AR
Cost of living in Jonesboro
The median home in Jonesboro is worth $223,200 and the median household earns $55,424 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.0 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $956 a month, about 21% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Jonesboro, AR metro area at 85.9, with housing at 53.8 and goods at 93.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $64,400 here. Arkansas taxes wages at a top rate of 3.9%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Arkansas is 9.48%.
What would my salary be worth in Jonesboro?
Jonesboro weather
Average highs run from 47°F in January to 91°F in July, and January nights average 30°F. It gets 48 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 4 inches of snow. Expect about 66 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 65 times a year. The most comfortable months are September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Jonesboro
People and work
The median resident is 33.9 years old, and 32% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.9129th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 32%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,03980.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%2% walk, 0% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 22.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1991median year
Who moves to Jonesboro, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Little Rock (Pulaski County), Faulkner County, AR and Saline County, AR. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Little Rock (Pulaski County), Fayetteville (Washington County) and Rogers (Benton County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Craighead County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: ice storm, tornado, winter weather, lightning.
Home prices
-1% in a year
Up 29% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Jonesboro, AR area, 2026 Q2.
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Jonesboro
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Arkansas State University 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Jonesboro
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis International Airport MEM | 67 mi | 2,439,366 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Jonesboro
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | 3 mi | 9,110 | $15,441 | 58% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Jonesboro
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 23, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 30 and the first frost comes around November 9.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Jonesboro Municipal Airport, AR, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Jonesboro.
Wildfire smoke in Jonesboro
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Jonesboro on about 159 days a year, including about 38 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Jonesboro
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 31,913 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Jonesboro
Downtown Jonesboro is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nettleton School District | Pre-K to 12 | 3,910 | 8 | 13.1 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Jonesboro Public Schools (6,762 students), Greene County Technical School District (3,550 students), Brookland School District (3,213 students), Valley View School District (2,975 students), Westside Consolidated School District (1,817 students), Trumann Schools (1,507 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Jonesboro's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Jonesboro's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Bowling Green, KY81% matchCompare
- Greenville, NC81% matchCompare
- Tulsa, OK80% matchCompare
- Norman, OK75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Jonesboro
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Jonesboro
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.48% on average with local taxes.
- Data Poverty is high: 22.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
Jonesboro report card from locals
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Cities near Jonesboro
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 60 mi | 609,647 | $169,000 | 92.2 | Compare |
| Little Rock, AR | 118 mi | 206,427 | $236,400 | 89.4 | Compare |
| Springfield, MO | 174 mi | 169,847 | $177,700 | 88.6 | Compare |
| Springdale, AR | 193 mi | 90,685 | $261,800 | 91.4 | Compare |
| Clarksville, TN | 193 mi | 188,829 | $263,600 | 90.9 | Compare |
| Rogers, AR | 194 mi | 76,956 | $308,200 | 91.4 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Jonesboro with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Jonesboro a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, short commutes. Compare Jonesboro side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Jonesboro?
The Census Bureau estimates Jonesboro had 83,296 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 78,528 in April 2020 (+6.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Jonesboro?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $64,400 in the Jonesboro area. The median household here earns $55,424.
When is the best time to visit Jonesboro?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 91°F and January 47°F for daytime highs.
What county is Jonesboro in?
Jonesboro is in Craighead County, Arkansas. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Jonesboro in?
Jonesboro is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Jonesboro?
About 325 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Arkansas have a state income tax?
Yes. Arkansas has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 3.9% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Jonesboro. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Jonesboro, AR metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Jonesboro Municipal Airport, AR station; snowfall from Jonesboro 2 NE, AR. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.