Cost of living in Jonesboro, AR
139,440 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 14.1% below the US average, with housing at 53.8 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,616 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Jonesboro, AR
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2021 childcare prices for Craighead County, AR in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $56,738 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $4,728 |
| Taxes | $945 | $1,565 | $481 |
| Take-home pay | $4,055 | $7,602 | $4,247 |
| Housing | $895 | $1,079 | $1,079 |
| Childcare | $0 | $785 | $1,277 |
| Food | $412 | $925 | $1,200 |
| Transportation | $156 | $313 | $313 |
| Sales tax | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Other goods & services | $944 | $944 | $944 |
| Left over | $1,616 | $3,526 | −$597 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($56,738). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Jonesboro, AR vs Arkansas and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Arkansas statewide (light).
Within Arkansas, Jonesboro, AR ranks 4th of 5 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 86.9. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $889 | $35,560 | 18.8% |
| 1-bedroom | $895 | $35,800 | 18.9% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,079 | $43,160 | 22.8% |
| 3-bedroom | $1,418 | $56,720 | 30.0% |
| 4-bedroom | $1,424 | $56,960 | 30.1% |
FY2027 FMRs for Jonesboro, AR HUD Metro FMR Area: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $929 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Craighead County, AR
DOL has no 2022 price for Craighead County, AR; these are the latest published prices, from 2021, adjusted to current dollars with the BLS CPI change since 2021.
| Age band | Center, weekly (2021) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2021) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $148 | $9,746 | $115 | $7,599 |
| Toddler (2) | $143 | $9,418 | $103 | $6,773 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $128 | $8,425 | $98 | $6,442 |
| School-age (5–12) | $105 | $6,905 | $93 | $6,112 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2021 county medians for full-time care in Craighead County, AR (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2707, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2021 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Jonesboro
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Arkansas income tax | $1,362 | $2,287 | $4,240 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,416 | $4,942 | $7,418 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 18.0% | 20.9% | 25.8% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Jonesboro in our data. State sales tax: 6.5% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro, AR | — | 85.9 | $1,079 | $1,616 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR · compare | 63 mi | 92.2 | $1,301 | $1,411 (−$205) |
| Jackson, TN · compare | 104 mi | 85.5 | $1,375 | $1,552 (−$64) |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL · compare | 120 mi | 86.1 | $1,012 | $1,671 (+$55) |
| Little Rock, AR · compare | 121 mi | 89.4 | $1,121 | $1,542 (−$74) |
| Paducah, KY-IL · compare | 142 mi | 86.1 | $1,131 | $1,529 (−$87) |
| Hot Springs, AR · compare | 162 mi | 85.7 | $1,110 | $1,648 (+$32) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Jonesboro, AR expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Jonesboro, AR metro at 85.9 (US = 100) in 2024 — 14.1% below the national average and the 371st highest of 387 metros. Housing is 53.8, goods 93.6.
What salary do you need to live in Jonesboro, AR?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,055 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,616 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Jonesboro, AR?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $895 for a 1-bedroom and $1,079 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $929.
Does Jonesboro have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Jonesboro in our 2026 data. Arkansas state income tax does apply.