Jonesboro AR vs Springfield IL — 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
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
4.5%
White
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 113,714 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 40.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jonesboro
$53,714
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,537 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,110 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jonesboro
$225,577
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,577 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 63.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
660
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
2507
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
39.2%
Jonesboro +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
11.4%
Jonesboro +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jonesboro
20.5%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
11.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
15.1%
Jonesboro +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
15.7%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.2% | 41.1% | Jonesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Jonesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.5% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Jonesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jonesboro
59.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jonesboro
48.2 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
9.5 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jonesboro
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jonesboro
N/A
Springfield
19.4 min
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jonesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.2%.
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