Jonesboro, AR vs Springdale, AR
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Springdale, AR and Jonesboro, AR spend within 10.7% of each other per resident — $10,025 versus $9,056 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Springdale, AR holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 70/100 (grade B) against 39/100 (grade D) for Jonesboro, AR — a 31-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Springdale, AR carries the lighter load at $839 per resident versus $2,919 for Jonesboro, AR. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Jonesboro, AR at $523 per resident and in Springdale, AR at $836.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 145% of total revenue in Jonesboro, AR and 21% in Springdale, AR.
Summary
Springdale spends 9.7% more per capita than Jonesboro ($968/person difference). Springdale, AR has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $25 | $5 |
| Sales Tax | $97 | $153 |
| Income Tax | $12 | $445 |
| Intergovernmental | $4,523 | $4,970 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,640 | $2,545 |
| Other | $1,377 | $2,342 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $80 | $268 |
| Highways & Roads | $121 | $0 |
| Education | $42 | $8 |
| Public Welfare | $632 | $747 |
| Health | $0 | $312 |
| Hospitals | $108 | $94 |
| Parks & Recreation | $523 | $836 |
| Housing | $2,058 | $2,318 |
| Sewerage | $122 | $140 |
| Utilities | $1,520 | $1,928 |
| Interest on Debt | $191 | $0 |
| Other | $3,659 | $3,374 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.