Jonesboro AR vs Salinas 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

Salinas, CA

California · Population: 161,993

Median HH Income$89,150
Median Home Price$751,711
Unemployment4.7%
Bachelor's+15.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

161,993

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

N/A

Median Age

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

32.1

Foreign Born

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

36.3%

White

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

21.8%

Black

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

1.4%

Asian

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

5.7%

Hispanic

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

80.3%

Spanish at Home

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

N/A

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Salinas, CA	Better
Population	N/A	161,993	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	N/A	32.1	-
Foreign Born	N/A	36.3%	-
White	N/A	21.8%	-
Black	N/A	1.4%	-
Asian	N/A	5.7%	-
Hispanic	N/A	80.3%	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

$89,150

Per Capita Income

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

$28,813

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Jonesboro

$53,714

Salinas

$77,230

Salinas +

Unemployment Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

4.7%

Poverty Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

14.2%

Bachelor's Degree+

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

15.5%

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Salinas, CA	Better
Median HH Income	N/A	$89,150	-
Per Capita Income	N/A	$28,813	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$53,714	$77,230	Salinas +
Unemployment Rate	N/A	4.7%	-
Poverty Rate	N/A	14.2%	-
Bachelor's Degree+	N/A	15.5%	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Jonesboro

$225,577

Jonesboro +

Salinas

$751,711

Homeownership Rate

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

47.0%

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Salinas, CA	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$225,577	$751,711	Jonesboro +
Homeownership Rate	N/A	47.0%	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

660

Salinas

503

Salinas +

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

2507

Salinas

2388

Salinas +

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

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

39.2%

Salinas

32.8%

Salinas +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

11.4%

Jonesboro +

Salinas

12.4%

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Jonesboro

20.5%

Salinas

18.2%

Salinas +

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

11.6%

Jonesboro +

Salinas

22.4%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

15.1%

Jonesboro +

Salinas

16.8%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Jonesboro

15.7%

Salinas

12.9%

Salinas +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Salinas, CA	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	39.2%	32.8%	Salinas +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	11.4%	12.4%	Jonesboro +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	20.5%	18.2%	Salinas +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	11.6%	22.4%	Jonesboro +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	15.1%	16.8%	Jonesboro +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	15.7%	12.9%	Salinas +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Jonesboro

59.2°F

Salinas

57.3°F

Salinas +

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Jonesboro

48.2 in

Salinas

15.5 in

Salinas +

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Salinas, CA	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	59.2°F	57.3°F	Salinas +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	48.2 in	15.5 in	Salinas +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Jonesboro

9.5 µg/m³

Salinas

7.9 µg/m³

Salinas +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Jonesboro

55.0%

Salinas

75.0%

Salinas +

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Jonesboro

N/A

Salinas

28.8 min

Metric	Jonesboro, AR	Salinas, CA	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	N/A	28.8 min	-

Which City is Right for You?

Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.

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About Jonesboro & Salinas

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