City Comparison
North Little Rock vs Jonesboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jonesboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Little Rock
Jonesboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jonesboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in North Little Rock.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Little Rock's average rent is
14% higher than Jonesboro's.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jonesboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,053 | $925 | +14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,948 | $1,805 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Little Rock offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, North Little Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Little Rock is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Jonesboro.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $52,707 | $55,424 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — North Little Rock sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Little Rock | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | 62.70°F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | 89.70°F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | 32.10°F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | 49.30 in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | 7.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 261 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | North Little Rock | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 19.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jonesboro is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of North Little Rock.
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 | North Little Rock | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,120 | 82,386 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 1.17% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Little Rock
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $1,053 is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly accessible per Zillow 2026 data
Median home property values remain near $178,900, offering strong affordability for first-time buyers per U.S. Census Bureau data
Vibrant cultural scene anchored by the Argenta Arts District, offering local dining, galleries, and entertainment venues
Short average commute times of approximately 19.8 minutes facilitate easy daily travel per Census data
Abundant outdoor amenities, including direct access to the Arkansas River Trail system and Dickey-Stephens Park
Drawbacks
Poverty rate of 20.3% sits above the national average per recent U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high car dependency with a low transit score
Violent and property crime rates in certain specific city sectors require careful neighborhood selection
Lower median household income of $52,707 compared to national benchmarks per Census data
Local summer temperatures frequently peak above 90°F, creating high cooling energy demands during peak months
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.
North Little Rock
#436Arkansas, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,053
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
19.0/100
Walkability
32.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
73
Business
69
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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