Chicago IL vs Jonesboro AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Jonesboro, AR
Arkansas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$225,577
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Jonesboro
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Jonesboro
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Jonesboro
N/A
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Jonesboro
N/A
White
Chicago
39.1%
Jonesboro
N/A
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Jonesboro
N/A
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Jonesboro
N/A
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Jonesboro
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Jonesboro
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 28.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Jonesboro
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Jonesboro
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Jonesboro
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Jonesboro
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Jonesboro
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Jonesboro
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Jonesboro
$225,577
Jonesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Jonesboro
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $225,577 | Jonesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Jonesboro
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Jonesboro
2507
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 660 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2507 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Jonesboro
39.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Jonesboro
11.4%
Jonesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Jonesboro
20.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Jonesboro
11.6%
Jonesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Jonesboro
15.1%
Jonesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Jonesboro
15.7%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.2% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Jonesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.5% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.6% | Jonesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.1% | Jonesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.7% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Jonesboro
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Jonesboro
48.2 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 59.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 48.2 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Jonesboro
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Jonesboro
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Jonesboro
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jonesboro, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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