What are the schools like in Jonesboro, AR?

Jonesboro is served primarily by JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.8:1.

What is the median household income in Jonesboro?

The median household income in Jonesboro, AR is $51,124 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.7%.

What is the weather like in Jonesboro, AR?

Jonesboro has an average high temperature of 46.8°F in January and 91.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 48.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 3.9 inches.

Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Jonesboro, AR affordable or expensive?

Jonesboro's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Jonesboro is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $196,100 and the median rent is $871 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Jonesboro, AR?

Jonesboro has a violent crime rate of 719.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3044.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Jonesboro, AR a Good Place to Live?

Jonesboro is a mid-sized city of 78,379 in Arkansas, with a median household income of $51,124 and a 6.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

Strengths: Jonesboro stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Jonesboro is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Jonesboro city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 91.2

Jonesboro's overall cost of living index is 91.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Jonesboro costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	National Avg
Median Home Value	$196,100	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$871	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	54.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$51,124	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Jonesboro's violent crime rate is 719.9 per 100,000 residents — 89% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

719.9 /100k

Property Crime

3044.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Jonesboro is served primarily by JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	National Avg
School District	JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	6	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	30.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Jonesboro sees average highs of 46.8°F in January and 91.2°F in July, with 48.5 inches of annual precipitation and 3.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Jonesboro, AR
Average High — January	46.8°F
Average High — July	91.2°F
Annual Precipitation	48.5"
Annual Snowfall	3.9"

Demographics

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	National Avg
Population	78,379	—
Median Age	33.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	17.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	68.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	21.8%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.0%	18.9%
Asian	1.6%	6.3%
Under 18	24.2%	22.2%
65 and over	13.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Brookland, AR 8 mi Bay, AR 9 mi Bono, AR 9 mi Bowman, AR 10 mi Lake City, AR 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Jonesboro

Jonesboro, AR is covered by 4 ZIP codes:

72401 72404 72405 72467

Jonesboro vs Other Cities

Jonesboro, AR vs Brookland, AR Jonesboro, AR vs Bay, AR Jonesboro, AR vs Bono, AR Jonesboro, AR vs Bowman, AR Jonesboro, AR vs Lake City, AR

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jonesboro, AR affordable or expensive?

Jonesboro's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Jonesboro roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $196,100 and median rent is $871/month.

What is the crime rate in Jonesboro, AR?

Jonesboro's violent crime rate is 719.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3044.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Jonesboro?

Public schools in Jonesboro are operated by JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1. 30.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Jonesboro, AR a good place to live?

Jonesboro, AR has a population of 78,379, a median household income of $51,124, and an unemployment rate of 6.7%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Jonesboro?

Jonesboro averages 46.8°F in January and 91.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.5 inches with about 3.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Jonesboro?

Jonesboro, AR is covered by 4 ZIP codes: 72401, 72404, 72405, 72467.

What is the population of Jonesboro?

The population of Jonesboro, Arkansas is 78,379 with a median age of 33.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Jonesboro?

Key numbers for living in Jonesboro: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $196,100, median household income $51,124, crime index 172 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Jonesboro side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.