A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
25%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Jacksonville Arkansas National
Cost of living9286100
Goods & Services10798100
Groceries9895100
Health care8888100
Housing7565100
Transportation8890100
Utilities9492100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Jacksonville, AR

Understanding the cost of living in Jacksonville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Jacksonville cost of living index is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Jacksonville are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Jacksonville can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Jacksonville Affordable?

Is Jacksonville affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Jacksonville, for instance, where the median home price falls 31.3% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 11.7% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Jacksonville flaunting a median household income of $48,587, 12.2% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Jacksonville?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Jacksonville, the utilities index registers at 5.9% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Jacksonville, the housing index is 25.4% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Jacksonville, the groceries index is 1.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Jacksonville cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Jacksonville is 7% higher than the Arkansas average
  • The cost of living in Jacksonville is 8% lower than the national average
  • Jacksonville housing is 25% lower than the national average
  • Arkansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Arkansas state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Jacksonville

See all the best places to live around Jacksonville

Compare Jacksonville, AR Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$69,672$5,806$1,626$2,090
      Renters$31,821$2,652$742$955
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Jacksonville, AR, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Jacksonville, homeowners have a median income of $69,672. Using that number, a maximum of $1,626 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $31,821, which means there is a maximum of $742 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Arkansas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Arkansas 6.5% 11.625%

      Arkansas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Arkansas 2% 4.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.72$24.2618.4%
      Beauty Salon $47.61$45.564.5%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.9%
      Movie $13.35$12.1310.1%
      Bowling $15.56$18.0013.6%

      Groceries

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.5713.3%
      Milk $4.65$4.670.5%
      Potatoes $5.31$4.937.6%
      Pizza $11.20$12.097.4%
      Beer $10.24$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $115.17$125.688.4%
      Doctor $132.33$135.782.5%
      Dentist $81.53$113.2928.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.35$10.652.8%
      Lipitor $471.21$468.600.6%

      Housing

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $126,900.00$184,700.0031.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,117.76$2,346.699.8%
      Apartment Rent $838.00$949.0011.7%

      Transportation

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.05$3.4612.0%
      Tire Balancing $53.11$59.9211.4%

      Utilities

      Item Jacksonville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $166.99$193.9913.9%
      Phone $205.18$192.256.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Scott, AR151000.2%
      College Station, AR3167921.2%
      Sweet Home, AR9268316.7%
      Lonoke, AR4,2068613.6%
      Beebe, AR8,131918.5%
      Jacksonville, AR28,442927.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Woolwich, ON28,438n/a 
      Williamsport, PA28,437909.8%
      Burbank, IL28,4471066.2%
      Temescal Valley, CA28,42015554.5%
      Henderson, KY28,469909.8%
      Jacksonville, AR28,442927.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.