Jonesboro AR vs Modesto 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

Modesto, CA

California · Population: 218,614

Median HH Income$77,899
Median Home Price$447,353
Unemployment7.3%
Bachelor's+20.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

218,614

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

N/A

Median Age

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

35.4

Foreign Born

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

18.7%

White

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

50.8%

Black

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

4.7%

Asian

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

7.4%

Hispanic

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

43.9%

Spanish at Home

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

N/A

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Modesto, CA	Better
Population	N/A	218,614	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	N/A	35.4	-
Foreign Born	N/A	18.7%	-
White	N/A	50.8%	-
Black	N/A	4.7%	-
Asian	N/A	7.4%	-
Hispanic	N/A	43.9%	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

$77,899

Per Capita Income

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

$34,656

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Jonesboro

$53,714

Modesto

$77,230

Modesto +

Unemployment Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

7.3%

Poverty Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

13.0%

Bachelor's Degree+

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

20.3%

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Modesto, CA	Better
Median HH Income	N/A	$77,899	-
Per Capita Income	N/A	$34,656	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$53,714	$77,230	Modesto +
Unemployment Rate	N/A	7.3%	-
Poverty Rate	N/A	13.0%	-
Bachelor's Degree+	N/A	20.3%	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Jonesboro

$225,577

Jonesboro +

Modesto

$447,353

Homeownership Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

58.4%

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Modesto, CA	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$225,577	$447,353	Jonesboro +
Homeownership Rate	N/A	58.4%	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

660

Modesto

503

Modesto +

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

2507

Modesto

2388

Modesto +

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

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

39.2%

Modesto

36.2%

Modesto +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

11.4%

Jonesboro +

Modesto

12.1%

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Jonesboro

20.5%

Modesto

19.0%

Modesto +

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

11.6%

Jonesboro +

Modesto

13.0%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

15.1%

Jonesboro +

Modesto

16.5%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

15.7%

Modesto

13.7%

Modesto +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Modesto, CA	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	39.2%	36.2%	Modesto +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	11.4%	12.1%	Jonesboro +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	20.5%	19.0%	Modesto +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	11.6%	13.0%	Jonesboro +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	15.1%	16.5%	Jonesboro +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	15.7%	13.7%	Modesto +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Jonesboro

59.2°F

Jonesboro +

Modesto

63.7°F

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Jonesboro

48.2 in

Modesto

13.1 in

Modesto +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Modesto, CA	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	59.2°F	63.7°F	Jonesboro +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	48.2 in	13.1 in	Modesto +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

9.5 µg/m³

Modesto

7.9 µg/m³

Modesto +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Jonesboro

55.0%

Modesto

75.0%

Modesto +

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Jonesboro

N/A

Modesto

30.5 min

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Modesto, CA	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	N/A	30.5 min	-

Which City is Right for You?

Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.

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About Jonesboro & Modesto

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