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City Report · AR

Jonesboro

Pop. 80,137·15th most expensive in Arkansas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,373/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.6%
vs US Median
-$589
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Jonesboro · $1,373
More affordable than 84% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
53/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Jonesboro's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,373/mo
Expected by trend
$1,396/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Jonesboro's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$737
1 BR
$857
2 BR
$1,027
3 BR
$1,377
4 BR+
$1,610
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,027/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,373 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,476/yr
At $1,373/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Jonesboro, AR is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 31.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
80,137
Median income
$55,424
Median age
33.9
Renters
45.7%
Age distribution
24%
27.5%
24.5%
14.2%
Under 1824%
18–3427.5%
35–5424.5%
55–649.8%
65+14.2%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
64.2%
22.8%
White64.2%
Black22.8%
Hispanic7.5%
Asian1.6%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
28.4%
30.6%
31.8%
No HS diploma9.2%
HS diploma28.4%
Some college30.6%
Bachelor's+31.8%
Housing tenure
54.3%
45.7%
Owner54.3%
Renter45.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Jonesboro, AR has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,117 → $1,373
up 22.9%
Income
$48,901 → $55,424
up 13.3%
Population
77,520 → 80,137
up 3.4%
Renter share
47.3% → 45.7%
-1.6 pts
Bachelor's+
31.8% → 31.8%
+0.0 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Jonesboro, AR has climbed by $256 per month, settling near $1,373 after starting the period at $1,117. On the earnings side, the typical household in Jonesboro, AR now reports about $55,424, up from $48,901 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 9.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 77,520 to 80,137 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.4% change. About 45.7% of households rent today, against 47.3% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Jonesboro, AR reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Jonesboro rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Jonesboro on your salary?

At $1,373/mo, how Jonesboro rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Jonesboro rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Jonesboro. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Jonesboro

About renting in Jonesboro, AR

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Jonesboro is $1,373/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $737/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,027/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $857/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,377/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($55,424/yr), Jonesboro ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Jonesboro an affordable city for renters?

Jonesboro is considered moderate for renters. At $1,373/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($55,424/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Jonesboro slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Jonesboro?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,373/mo in Jonesboro. The local median household income is $55,424/yr, meaning the typical Jonesboro household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Jonesboro?

Rent in Jonesboro has increased 1.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Jonesboro neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Jonesboro are 72401 ($1,129/mo), 72404 ($1,531/mo), and 72405 ($1,584/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Jonesboro is $1,373/mo.

How does Jonesboro rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?

Jonesboro is middle-of-the-pack for Arkansas for rent, ranking #15 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,373/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Jonesboro?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Jonesboro ($1,373/mo): Batesville ($863/mo), Paragould ($1,107/mo), Memphis ($1,262/mo).

What percentage of Jonesboro residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.7% of Jonesboro households are renters, while 54.3% are owner-occupied. Jonesboro leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Jonesboro rent compare to the national average?

Jonesboro's median rent of $1,373/mo is $589 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Arkansas, it ranks #15 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,373/mo, rent takes ~30% of Jonesboro's median household income ($55,424/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Jonesboro 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.9%
Run the Jonesboro affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Jonesboro, AR

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