Huntsville AL 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)

Huntsville, AL

Alabama · Population: 218,814

Median HH Income$70,778
Median Home Price$288,707
Unemployment4.3%
Bachelor's+46.2%

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

Huntsville

218,814

Jonesboro

N/A

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Huntsville

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Median Age

Huntsville

36.4

Jonesboro

N/A

Foreign Born

Huntsville

6.6%

Jonesboro

N/A

White

Huntsville

58.4%

Jonesboro

N/A

Black

Huntsville

29.7%

Jonesboro

N/A

Asian

Huntsville

2.0%

Jonesboro

N/A

Hispanic

Huntsville

8.1%

Jonesboro

N/A

Spanish at Home

Huntsville

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Population	218,814	N/A	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	36.4	N/A	-
Foreign Born	6.6%	N/A	-
White	58.4%	N/A	-
Black	29.7%	N/A	-
Asian	2.0%	N/A	-
Hispanic	8.1%	N/A	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Huntsville

$70,778

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Income

Huntsville

$44,733

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Huntsville

$51,690

Jonesboro

$53,714

Jonesboro +

Unemployment Rate

Huntsville

4.3%

Jonesboro

N/A

Poverty Rate

Huntsville

13.8%

Jonesboro

N/A

Bachelor's Degree+

Huntsville

46.2%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median HH Income	$70,778	N/A	-
Per Capita Income	$44,733	N/A	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$51,690	$53,714	Jonesboro +
Unemployment Rate	4.3%	N/A	-
Poverty Rate	13.8%	N/A	-
Bachelor's Degree+	46.2%	N/A	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Huntsville

$288,707

Jonesboro

$225,577

Jonesboro +

Homeownership Rate

Huntsville

58.1%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$288,707	$225,577	Jonesboro +
Homeownership Rate	58.1%	N/A	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Huntsville

400

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

660

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Huntsville

1734

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

2507

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	400	660	Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1734	2507	Huntsville +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Huntsville

40.7%

Jonesboro

39.2%

Jonesboro +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Huntsville

12.7%

Jonesboro

11.4%

Jonesboro +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Huntsville

16.4%

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

20.5%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Huntsville

9.6%

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

11.6%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Huntsville

14.2%

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

15.1%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Huntsville

12.6%

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

15.7%

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	40.7%	39.2%	Jonesboro +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	12.7%	11.4%	Jonesboro +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	16.4%	20.5%	Huntsville +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	9.6%	11.6%	Huntsville +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	14.2%	15.1%	Huntsville +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	12.6%	15.7%	Huntsville +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Huntsville

62.1°F

Jonesboro

59.2°F

Jonesboro +

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Huntsville

54.3 in

Jonesboro

48.2 in

Jonesboro +

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	62.1°F	59.2°F	Jonesboro +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	54.3 in	48.2 in	Jonesboro +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Huntsville

8.8 µg/m³

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

9.5 µg/m³

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Huntsville

75.0%

Huntsville +

Jonesboro

55.0%

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	8.8 µg/m³	9.5 µg/m³	Huntsville +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	75.0%	55.0%	Huntsville +

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Huntsville

21.0 min

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Huntsville, AL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	21.0 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, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jonesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.2%.

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About Huntsville & Jonesboro

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