City Comparison
Springdale vs Jonesboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springdale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springdale
Jonesboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jonesboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Springdale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springdale's average rent is
26% higher than Jonesboro's.
| Metric | Springdale | Jonesboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,169 | $925 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,089 | $1,805 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springdale offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springdale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Springdale is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Jonesboro.
| Metric | Springdale | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,200 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,522 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $69,787 | $55,424 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Springdale sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Springdale | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.00°F | 62.70°F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | 89.70°F |
| Winter Low | 29.70°F | 32.10°F |
| Rainfall | 43.00 in | 49.30 in |
| Snowfall | 9.00 in | 7.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 261 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Springdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Springdale | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springdale is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Jonesboro.
From a growth perspective, Jonesboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springdale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Springdale | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,685 | 82,386 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 1.17% |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Springdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at $69,787, providing solid earning potential relative to the local cost of living.
Average monthly rent for apartments is approximately $1,169, remaining well below the national average.
Proximity to major corporate headquarters like Tyson Foods drives robust local employment and career stability.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including direct connectivity to the Razorback Regional Greenway trail system.
A vibrant, multicultural community offering diverse dining, cultural events, and a young median age of 32.3 years.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside the downtown core.
Competitive local real estate market driven by rapid population growth across the Northwest Arkansas region.
Poverty rate stands at approximately 13.4%, highlighting economic disparities within certain sectors.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along primary regional corridors like Interstate 49.
Summer humidity can be intense, matching typical regional Ozark climate patterns.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Springdale
#106Arkansas, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,169
Avg Salary
$61,200
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
73
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
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