Jonesboro AR vs Lancaster CA — 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

Lancaster, CA

California · Population: 170,013

Median HH Income$76,083
Median Home Price$466,147
Unemployment7.1%
Bachelor's+20.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

170,013

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

N/A

Median Age

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

34.2

Foreign Born

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

13.9%

White

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

35.5%

Black

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

21.4%

Asian

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

4.0%

Hispanic

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

45.9%

Spanish at Home

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

N/A

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
Population	N/A	170,013	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	N/A	34.2	-
Foreign Born	N/A	13.9%	-
White	N/A	35.5%	-
Black	N/A	21.4%	-
Asian	N/A	4.0%	-
Hispanic	N/A	45.9%	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

$76,083

Per Capita Income

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

$29,766

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Jonesboro

$53,714

Lancaster

$77,230

Lancaster +

Unemployment Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

7.1%

Poverty Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

15.5%

Bachelor's Degree+

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

20.1%

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
Median HH Income	N/A	$76,083	-
Per Capita Income	N/A	$29,766	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$53,714	$77,230	Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate	N/A	7.1%	-
Poverty Rate	N/A	15.5%	-
Bachelor's Degree+	N/A	20.1%	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Jonesboro

$225,577

Jonesboro +

Lancaster

$466,147

Homeownership Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

58.4%

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$225,577	$466,147	Jonesboro +
Homeownership Rate	N/A	58.4%	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

660

Lancaster

503

Lancaster +

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

2507

Lancaster

2388

Lancaster +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	660	503	Lancaster +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	2507	2388	Lancaster +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

39.2%

Lancaster

30.6%

Lancaster +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

11.4%

Jonesboro +

Lancaster

12.6%

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Jonesboro

20.5%

Lancaster

19.3%

Lancaster +

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

11.6%

Jonesboro +

Lancaster

12.9%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

15.1%

Jonesboro +

Lancaster

15.8%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

15.7%

Lancaster

14.0%

Lancaster +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	39.2%	30.6%	Lancaster +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	11.4%	12.6%	Jonesboro +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	20.5%	19.3%	Lancaster +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	11.6%	12.9%	Jonesboro +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	15.1%	15.8%	Jonesboro +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	15.7%	14.0%	Lancaster +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Jonesboro

59.2°F

Jonesboro +

Lancaster

62.1°F

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Jonesboro

48.2 in

Lancaster

7.4 in

Lancaster +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	59.2°F	62.1°F	Jonesboro +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	48.2 in	7.4 in	Lancaster +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

9.5 µg/m³

Lancaster

7.9 µg/m³

Lancaster +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Jonesboro

55.0%

Lancaster

75.0%

Lancaster +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	9.5 µg/m³	7.9 µg/m³	Lancaster +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	55.0%	75.0%	Lancaster +

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Jonesboro

N/A

Lancaster

33.0 min

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Lancaster, CA	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	N/A	33.0 min	-

Which City is Right for You?

Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.

Compare More Cities

Jonesboro, AR vs New York, NY Jonesboro, AR vs Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL vs Jonesboro, AR Houston, TX vs Jonesboro, AR Jonesboro, AR vs Phoenix, AZ Jonesboro, AR vs Philadelphia, PA

About Jonesboro & Lancaster

View Jonesboro AR Profile →View Lancaster CA Profile →