City Comparison
Rogers vs Jonesboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rogers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rogers
Jonesboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jonesboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Rogers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rogers's average rent is
73% higher than Jonesboro's.
| Metric | Rogers | Jonesboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,600 | $925 | +73% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,510 | $1,805 | +39% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rogers offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rogers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rogers is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Jonesboro.
| Metric | Rogers | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $86,728 | $55,424 |
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 | Rogers | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 62.70°F |
| Summer High | °F | 89.70°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 32.10°F |
| Rainfall | in | 49.30 in |
| Snowfall | in | 7.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Rogers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rogers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rogers | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jonesboro is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Rogers.
From a growth perspective, Rogers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rogers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rogers | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,956 | 82,386 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.76% | 1.17% |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rogers
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $86,728 per year, outperforming the state average.
Proximity to major corporate headquarters drives a thriving and resilient local job market.
Extensive outdoor recreation infrastructure includes Lake Atalanta and miles of premier biking trails.
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro ranked highly on national economic performance indices.
Cost of living sits comfortably below the national average while offering big-city amenities.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has driven up housing costs and rental prices over recent years.
High car dependency limits mobility for residents who prefer not to drive.
Summer months can experience high humidity and elevated temperatures.
Public transportation options within the city limits are limited compared to major metros.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak hours.
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.
Rogers
#26Arkansas, USA
72.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.76%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
77
Business
74
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rogers and Jonesboro.
Open Cost Calculator