City Comparison
Jonesboro vs Paragould
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jonesboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Jonesboro
Paragould
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jonesboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Paragould.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Paragould | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $925 | $950 | -3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,805 | $1,950 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 74 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Jonesboro offers 26% higher 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 $66,000 in Paragould.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $41,176 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 55,643 idx |
| Household Income | $55,424 | $56,980 |
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 | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| 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
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Paragould.
Jonesboro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Jonesboro leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Jonesboro | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jonesboro is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Paragould.
From a growth perspective, Paragould 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 | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,386 | 31,135 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.17% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.40% |
| 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.
Paragould
Advantages
Paragould's cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it highly affordable.
The city is experiencing significant growth, ranking among Arkansas's fastest-growing cities with a 1.2% annual population increase.
Residents have access to highly-rated school districts and a modern community center with an aquatic park.
The local economy shows strong employment growth, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are available, including state parks, hiking trails, and fishing lakes.
Drawbacks
Some healthcare quality metrics, such as pulmonary mortality at the main hospital, have been rated 'worse than expected'.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit options and an average commute time of 22.8 minutes.
While overall cost of living is low, certain utility costs for renters can be higher than the national average.
The median individual income is lower than the median household income, suggesting a need for dual-income households or careful budgeting for single earners.
Walkability and transit scores are likely low due to the car-centric nature of the city, limiting options for those without personal vehicles.
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
Paragould
#240Arkansas, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$41,176
Cost Index
74
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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