The city of Jonesboro
Jonesboro: a college town just big enough, with costs just low enough
Not a big metro, not a remote small town. Jonesboro is the hub of north-east Arkansas with hospitals, a mall, a small airport — and Memphis an hour away when you want a big city.
~80,650
Population (5th-largest city in Arkansas)
86.9
Cost-of-living index (US = 100)
2
Major hospitals in town
1 hour
Drive to Memphis
The city in a few paragraphs
Jonesboro has about 80,650 residents, is the fifth-largest city in Arkansas and the medical, educational and commercial centre of the state’s north-east. Two major hospitals — St. Bernards Medical Center and NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital — are under 10 minutes from campus, which matters to parents with a child far from home.
The cost of living is about 13% below the US average (index 86.9), mainly thanks to cheaper housing and services. International students notice it most in rent, food and fuel. The city has the familiar chains (Walmart, Target, Kroger, The Mall at Turtle Creek) and an Asian grocery on the university shuttle route.
Craighead Forest Park on the city’s southern edge is where students walk, run, fish and picnic on weekends — a large lake, trails and campsites. Downtown Jonesboro has cafés, small restaurants and seasonal events.
Driving distances
| Destination | Time | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, Tennessee | ≈ 1 hour | International airport (MEM), Asian and international grocery stores and restaurants, blues music, NBA basketball |
| Little Rock, Arkansas | ≈ 2 hours | State capital, LIT airport, museums |
| Nashville, Tennessee | ≈ 4 hours | Music City, long-weekend trips |
| St. Louis, Missouri | ≈ 4 hours | Gateway Arch, MLB baseball |
Source: US Census — Jonesboro city, Arkansas · City of Jonesboro · Updated 08/2026
Weather by month (°C)
Humid subtropical climate: four distinct seasons, hot and humid summers, and much colder winters with occasional snow from December to February. About 1,245 mm of rain a year, spread evenly.
Jonesboro weather right now
21°C70°F
Clear sky
Data at 06:30 · Aug 23
- Feels like
- 24°C
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
Next five days
Today
32°21°
Chance of rain: 1%
Overcast
Mon
33°21°
Chance of rain: 34%
Light drizzle
Tue
36°21°
Chance of rain: 45%
Overcast
Wed
37°22°
Chance of rain: 18%
Light drizzle
Thu
38°21°
Chance of rain: 18%
Dense drizzle
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C | -2°C | Coldest; occasional light snow |
| February | 11°C | 0°C | Cold, occasional iceestimate |
| March | 17°C | 5°C | Warming, rainyestimate |
| April | 22°C | 10°C | Pleasant spring; storm seasonestimate |
| May | 27°C | 16°C | Warm, humid; spring semester endsestimate |
| June | 31°C | 20°C | Hot and humidestimate |
| July | 32°C | 22°C | Hottest month |
| August | 32°C | 21°C | Hot; move-in mid-monthestimate |
| September | 28°C | 17°C | Cooling offestimate |
| October | 22°C | 10°C | Best of autumn, fall coloursestimate |
| November | 15°C | 4°C | Cool to coldestimate |
| December | 9°C | -1°C | Cold; snow possibleestimate |
January and July are published figures; months marked "estimate" are interpolated from regional climate normals for clothing planning, not forecasts. Spring (March–May) is storm season with tornado watches — the university has sirens and designated shelter areas in every building.
Source: NOAA / NWS Memphis — climate normals · Updated 08/2026
What to pack by season
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Light jacket, thin sweater
- Compact umbrella or rain jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
Winter (Dec–Feb)
- A heavy coat (down or wool) rated for 0°C and wind
- Beanie, gloves, scarf
- Closed shoes with grip; warm socks
- Moisturiser — heated indoor air is very dry
Spring (Mar–May)
- Waterproof jacket, sturdy umbrella
- Thin layers to add or remove — temperatures swing within a day
- Allergy medication if sensitive to pollen
Summer (Jun–Aug)
- T-shirts, shorts, breathable fabrics
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Water bottle — high humidity makes walks between buildings hot
Reference living costs (③ third-party)
| Item | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment rent | $868 – 1,200 / month | Off campus; splitting with a roommate is much cheaper |
| Single person monthly costs (excluding rent) | ≈ $2,205 / month | Third-party estimate for an independent adult; students in residence halls spend far less |
| Residence hall + meal plan | ≈ $5,000 – 5,400 / semester | Official A-State 2026–27 rates — see the student-life page |
③ figures come from third-party cost-of-living aggregators and change over time; use them for relative comparison, not for visa budgeting. Students in halls with a meal plan typically spend an extra $300–500 a month on personal items.
Source: Numbeo — Cost of living in Jonesboro · A-State Residence Life — Rates · Updated 08/2026
Video
Jonesboro during Homecoming week
Official footage from the Arkansas State University Vimeo channel — it loads only when you press play.
Vimeo A-State ↗Frequently asked questions
Is Jonesboro boring?
Compared with a big capital city it is much quieter — little nightlife, weekends revolve around campus, sports and the outdoors. Most international students say the quiet helps them focus, and Memphis is close enough for a change of scene each month.
How harsh is winter?
Cold if you are coming from a warm climate, but nothing like the northern US: January averages 8°C by day and −2°C at night, with occasional snow and a few icy days. A good coat, hat and gloves are enough. All buildings are heated.
Should I worry about tornadoes?
Arkansas sits in a region with strong spring storms. The university has warning sirens, A-State Alerts and marked shelter areas in every building; students are briefed at orientation. Direct tornado impact on campus is very rare, but always heed warnings.
Is there public transport?
The GOJO bus is free with an A-State ID (pilot through 15 August 2028), the university grocery shuttle runs four times a week, and Uber/Lyft operate in town. No car is needed in year one.
Do the hospitals accept the university insurance?
Yes. Both St. Bernards and NEA Baptist work with the student health plan; for routine illness, students go to the on-campus Student Health Center first, which is cheaper.
Want to see Jonesboro through a current student’s eyes?
Our admissions team connects you with current students to ask about weather, housing, food and weekends.