City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs Jonesboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jonesboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
Jonesboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Jonesboro.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
21% lower than Jonesboro's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Jonesboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $925 | -21% |
| Groceries | $340 | $380 | -11% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $1,805 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Jonesboro offers 14% 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 Pine Bluff is estimated at
$38,000 vs $45,000 in Jonesboro.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $55,424 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 62.70°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 89.70°F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | 32.10°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 49.30 in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | 7.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | 261 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Pine Bluff | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jonesboro is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Pine Bluff.
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 | Pine Bluff | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 82,386 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.17% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pine Bluff
Advantages
Median home values and average rents are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Cost of living index is significantly below the U.S. baseline, providing high purchasing power for essentials.
Abundant outdoor recreational access including the Delta Rivers Nature Center and Arkansas River proximity.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Presence of higher education institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff enriching community culture.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property and violent crime indices, trend higher than the national average.
Economic growth and job diversification have faced historical stagnation relative to northwest Arkansas.
Low walkability and limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily tasks.
Higher-than-average poverty rates present ongoing socioeconomic challenges for local development.
Limited high-end entertainment and upscale dining options within city limits.
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.
Pine Bluff
#556Arkansas, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$728
Avg Salary
$44,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
59
Business
52
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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