City Comparison
Jonesboro vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jonesboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Jonesboro
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jonesboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Jonesboro's average rent is
34% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $925 | $1,410 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,805 | $2,451 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 34% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Jonesboro is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $55,424 | $52,909 |
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Jonesboro has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Jonesboro.
From a growth perspective, Jonesboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,386 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.17% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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