City Comparison
Jonesboro vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jonesboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Jonesboro
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jonesboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Jonesboro's average rent is
34% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $925 | $1,412 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $115 | $126 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $135 | +56% |
| Monthly Total | $1,805 | $2,404 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 15% 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 $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $55,424 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Jonesboro has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Jonesboro.
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,386 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.17% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Jonesboro and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator