City Comparison
Russellville vs Jonesboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jonesboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Russellville
Jonesboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Russellville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Jonesboro.
Housing costs are a major driver: Russellville's average rent is
14% lower than Jonesboro's.
| Metric | Russellville | Jonesboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $925 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,665 | $1,805 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Jonesboro offers 8% 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 Russellville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Jonesboro.
| Metric | Russellville | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,991 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $50,877 | $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 | Russellville | 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 | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Russellville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Russellville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Russellville | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jonesboro is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Russellville.
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 | Russellville | Jonesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,521 | 82,386 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.32% | 1.17% |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Russellville
Advantages
Average rent and overall cost of living are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and federal data.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, sitting directly adjacent to Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River.
Strong institutional anchor and cultural vitality provided by Arkansas Tech University.
Stable industrial and energy employment base anchored by major operations like Arkansas Nuclear One and Tyson Foods.
Short average commute times and easy access via Interstate 40.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate sits higher than the national average, standing at approximately 20.8% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure for non-drivers.
Median household income trails both state and national averages.
Vulnerability to severe weather events typical of the Arkansas River Valley region.
Limited high-end entertainment and luxury retail 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.
Russellville
#250Arkansas, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$800
Avg Salary
$47,991
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
67
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 Russellville and Jonesboro.
Open Cost Calculator