Cost of Living in Jonesboro, GA

Population 6,137 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Jonesboro is a smaller Georgia community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $50,060 and housing costs ($143,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. A poverty rate near 32% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Located 15 miles southeast of South Fulton, Jonesboro falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 47% lower than South Fulton's $271,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 47

Rent 85

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Jonesboro

The median home value in Jonesboro is $142,900 — 53% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,116/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,060/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.7%, above the national average of 4.8%. Georgia's top state income tax rate is 5.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.3%. Overall, Jonesboro has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.

📍

Jonesboro has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Riverdale, GA

Median home: $160,000

Rent: $1,266/mo

Income: $62,627

Lovejoy, GA

Median home: $228,500

Rent: $1,546/mo

Income: $67,872

Forest Park, GA

Median home: $119,000

Rent: $1,101/mo

Income: $42,286

Stockbridge, GA

Median home: $248,000

Rent: $1,437/mo

Income: $70,579

Fayetteville, GA

Median home: $331,700

Rent: $1,592/mo

Income: $82,144

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$142,900

53% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$242,399

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,116/mo

15% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,599/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

10.7x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

0.9%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$773

1 BR

$817

2 BR

$984

3 BR

$1,289

4 BR

$1,520

Owner-occupied 39.8%

Renter-occupied 60.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,116

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,730/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

35.0 min

30% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

4.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

78.7%

Carpooled

11.8%

Walked

4.0%

Work from home

4.8%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.5%

Total Sales Tax 7.3%

State rate 4.0%

Avg local rate 3.4%

Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$50,060

33% below avg

Per Capita Income

$27,945

Unemployment Rate

6.7%

39% above avg

Poverty Rate

31.5%

Labor Force Participation

42.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 2.5%

Graduate degree 4.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.3

Male median age 32.1

Female median age 39.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate

49.6%

Good air days/yr

Max AQI recorded

121

PM2.5 days

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%

4-Year Graduation Rate

17.3:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

54,424

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Jonesboro, GA?

Jonesboro has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.

What is average rent in Jonesboro, GA?

The median gross rent in Jonesboro is $1,116 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Jonesboro?

The median home value in Jonesboro is $142,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Jonesboro?

The median household income in Jonesboro is $50,060 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Jonesboro, GA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Jonesboro is 7.3%. The Georgia state income tax top rate is 5.5%.

Is Jonesboro, GA affordable?

Yes, Jonesboro is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.

Jonesboro at a Glance

Population: 6,137
Median Income: $50,060
Home Value: $142,900
Median Rent: $1,116/mo
Unemployment: 6.7%
Sales Tax: 7.3%

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