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Quality of Life in Paragould, AR
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
30% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Paragould, AR for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $14k | $26k |
| Comfortable | $34k | $50k |
| Luxury | $84k+ | $130k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $99k+ | $153k+ |
112%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
2 within 10 miles
Gas
15 within 10 miles
Hospital
4 within 20 miles
Airport
BNA — Nashville International
Post Office
USPS — Paragould, AR
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Paragould, Arkansas, presents a notably affordable quality of life, with a cost of living index of 70 (30% below the U.S. average), making it one of the most budget-friendly small cities in the Mid-South. The area attracts a mix of young families seeking starter homes, retirees stretching fixed incomes, and manufacturing workers employed by major local employers like MonArk Boat Company and Nestlé Purina. With a median household income that aligns closely with the state average, Paragould’s low expenses allow residents to achieve a comfortable, debt-light lifestyle that would be difficult to replicate in pricier metros like Jonesboro (20 miles west) or Memphis (90 miles east).
How housing costs and affordability compare to nearby cities
Paragould’s housing market is a primary driver of its low cost of living. The median home value sits at $175,400, roughly $25,000 below the national median and significantly less than Jonesboro’s median of around $210,000. Renters also benefit, with a median monthly rent of $883, which is about $150 less than the national average and $100 less than typical rents in neighboring Greene County towns. The average commute time of 19.1 minutes is well under the national average of 26 minutes, meaning residents spend less on gas and vehicle wear-and-tear. Property taxes in Greene County are among the lowest in Arkansas, averaging roughly 0.5% of assessed home value, which further reduces monthly carrying costs compared to states like Texas or Tennessee.
What daily life is like for families and professionals
Daily life in Paragould centers on a compact, car-dependent layout with most amenities within a 10-minute drive. The Paragould School District serves roughly 4,000 students and includes Paragould High School, which offers a career-and-technical education track popular with students entering local manufacturing. For recreation, the city maintains Rector Park (with a splash pad and walking trails) and the Paragould Community Center, which hosts youth sports leagues and senior programs. Dining leans toward regional chains (Fred’s Fish Fry, Dixie Pig BBQ) and a handful of local cafes on West Kingshighway. Healthcare is accessible via Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, a 100-bed facility that handles routine emergencies and surgeries; residents needing specialized care typically drive 20 minutes to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. The city lacks a major performing arts venue or large shopping mall, but Jonesboro’s Turtle Creek Mall and Arkansas State University’s cultural events are a short commute away.
Paragould is best suited for residents who prioritize low housing costs, short commutes, and a slower pace over urban nightlife or high-end retail. Families with school-age children, remote workers seeking a low-overhead base, and retirees on fixed incomes will find the math works in their favor. Professionals in specialized fields (e.g., tech, finance) may find limited local job options, but the proximity to Jonesboro and Memphis expands the employment radius without sacrificing Paragould’s affordability. For those who value a quiet, budget-conscious lifestyle in a small city with strong community ties, Paragould delivers a high quality of life per dollar spent.
Crime in Paragould, AR
Generally safer than 62% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Paragould, Arkansas, reports a violent crime rate of 268.3 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,747.3 per 100,000, placing it in a moderate-risk category for a city of its size in the northeastern corner of the state. While these figures are not the highest in the region, they warrant careful consideration, particularly for those relocating from areas with lower crime baselines. The overall safety picture is mixed, with property crime being the more prevalent concern for daily life.
Crime in context
Paragould’s violent crime rate of 268.3 per 100,000 is roughly 30% lower than the national average of approximately 380 per 100,000, but it sits slightly above the Arkansas state average of about 250 per 100,000. The property crime rate of 2,747.3 per 100,000 is notably higher than both the national average (around 1,950) and the state average (roughly 2,400). This means a resident is statistically more likely to experience theft, burglary, or vehicle break-ins than in a typical U.S. city. It is important to note that Greene County, where Paragould is located, has a conservative judicial philosophy, which generally aligns with stricter sentencing and fewer early-release programs compared to jurisdictions with progressive district attorneys. This local legal environment may contribute to a different enforcement and recidivism dynamic than what is seen in large, liberal-leaning metro areas.
What residents experience
For those living in Paragould, the primary safety concern is property crime. Residents commonly report incidents of vehicle break-ins, theft from porches, and occasional burglaries of unoccupied homes, particularly in areas near major thoroughfares like U.S. 49 and U.S. 412. Violent crime, while less frequent, is not absent and tends to be concentrated in specific circumstances, often involving domestic disputes or incidents between known individuals rather than random attacks on strangers. The presence of a responsive local police department and a community-oriented sheriff’s office in Greene County provides a visible law enforcement presence, which many residents cite as a reassuring factor. Daily life for most families involves standard precautions—locking doors, securing vehicles, and being aware of surroundings after dark—rather than living in constant fear.
Neighborhood-level variation in Paragould is significant. Areas west of U.S. 49, particularly newer subdivisions near Crowley's Ridge, generally report lower crime rates and are considered safer. Older, more densely populated neighborhoods closer to downtown and the industrial zones along the railroad tracks tend to see higher concentrations of both property and violent crime. Prospective residents are advised to examine block-level crime maps and consult with local real estate agents to identify the safest pockets within the city, as the difference between a quiet cul-de-sac and a high-theft corridor can be substantial.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-30T02:32:53.000Z
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