Living in Jonesboro, AR offers a blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences, with the benefit of being close to a major urban center. Located in Northeast Arkansas, Jonesboro is just over an hour’s drive from Memphis, Tennessee, making it an ideal location for those who want to enjoy a quieter lifestyle while having easy access to the amenities of a larger city. The city is known for its strong sense of community, growing economy, and vibrant local culture.
Jonesboro’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. The city’s downtown area, especially around Main Street, is a hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The annual Downtown Jonesboro BBQ & Music Festival is a highlight of the year, bringing the community together to enjoy live music, delicious food, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Jonesboro provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Craighead Forest Park and the Arkansas State University campus, offer scenic spots for hiking, biking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the region. The nearby Crowley’s Ridge Parkway provides additional opportunities for scenic drives and exploring the unique landscapes of Northeast Arkansas.
Jonesboro is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to education and culture. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the ASU Theatre productions and the Craighead County Fair, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the community spirit. The city’s proximity to Memphis means that residents can easily access the amenities of a major city, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.
For those considering a move to Arkansas, Jonesboro offers a perfect blend of small-town charm, cultural richness, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its parks, community events, or easy access to Memphis, living in Jonesboro, AR provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Employment
The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.
Located in the state of Arkansas, Jonesboro is a moderately-sized city with a population of 77,391 residents. At 71%, the majority of the Jonesboro population is White; this is followed by 21% Black and 2% Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Jonesboro will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 18 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Jonesboro is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in Arkansas, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Jonesboro and in the areas around Jonesboro is a much easier task.
The livability score in Jonesboro is 63/100 and the city is ranked in the 55th percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we know that Jonesboro ranks very well for cost of living (A) and housing (B+). Jonesboro does not score well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Jonesboro apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Jonesboro is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Jonesboro come in at $161,500, which is 40.8% higher than the Arkansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Jonesboro, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 25.9% higher than the Arkansas average.
| Statistic | Jonesboro | Arkansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.9% | 82.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.4% | 10.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.7% | 1.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.4% | 3.2% | 4.6% |
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