Jonesboro AR vs Kansas City MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jonesboro, AR
Arkansas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$225,577
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 508,233 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 57.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 25.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jonesboro
$53,714
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,449 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $40,112 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jonesboro
$225,577
Jonesboro +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,577 | $253,319 | Jonesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
660
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
2507
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
39.2%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
11.4%
Jonesboro +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jonesboro
20.5%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
11.6%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
15.1%
Jonesboro +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
15.7%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.2% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Jonesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.5% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Jonesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jonesboro
59.2°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jonesboro
48.2 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
9.5 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jonesboro
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jonesboro
N/A
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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