City Comparison
Jonesboro vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jonesboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Jonesboro
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jonesboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Jonesboro's average rent is
19% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $925 | $1,138 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $226 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,805 | $2,274 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Jonesboro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Jonesboro is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $55,424 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Jonesboro runs warmer on average — a 62.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Jonesboro comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Jonesboro sees 7.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Jonesboro.
Jonesboro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jonesboro is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Jonesboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jonesboro has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,386 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.17% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Jonesboro
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the national average, providing high housing affordability per U.S. Census data.
Average commute times are short, hovering around 18 to 20 minutes per recent American Community Survey reports.
Jonesboro acts as a major regional healthcare provider, anchored by large systems like St. Bernards and NEA Baptist.
The local economy benefits from a thriving advanced manufacturing and food processing sector with steady employment.
Home to Arkansas State University, offering rich cultural, educational, and athletic events for the community.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in the city limits trend higher than the national average according to recent Census estimates.
Public transportation infrastructure is minimal, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Average local wages and per capita income trail national benchmarks due to the regional cost structure.
Summers can be persistently hot and humid, typical of the broader northeastern Arkansas climate region.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options outside of student-oriented venues and local community events.
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Jonesboro
#147Arkansas, USA
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$925
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
62.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.17%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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