Storm shelter prices in Jonesboro, AR
Installers in Jonesboro set their own prices and few post them online, so the most reliable starting point is national cost data. Angi and HomeAdvisor both put the average tornado shelter at $7,643, with most homeowners paying between $2,892 and $13,281. HomeAdvisor says a simple unit can run as little as $500 and a complex custom build as much as $36,000.
Cost by shelter type
| Shelter type | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Underground / in-ground | $4,200 to $30,000 |
| Above-ground | $2,600 to $15,000 |
| Garage, above the slab | $3,000 to $9,000 |
| Under the garage floor | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Basement | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| Safe room inside the house | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Bed shelter (fits two) | $2,100 to $4,500 |
National figures from the Angi, 2026 tornado shelter cost guide, based on 129 projects. HomeAdvisor reports the same ranges.
What changes the price
In the ground or above it
This is the biggest single factor. An in-ground shelter needs excavation, and Angi notes that waterproofing adds to the cost. An above-ground unit is bolted to an existing concrete slab, which is why it usually costs less.
Material
HomeAdvisor reports that steel and Kevlar shelters cost more than concrete or fiberglass ones.
Size and how many people it holds
A bed shelter fits two people and runs $2,100 to $4,500. A shelter for a larger family needs more floor area and more material, so ask for the rated capacity on every quote.
Where it goes
A unit cut into an existing garage floor ($10,000 to $15,000) costs more than one set on top of the slab ($3,000 to $9,000), according to Angi.
Extras and paperwork
Angi lists ventilation systems and extra emergency exits as upgrades that push the price up. HomeAdvisor also tells homeowners to budget for concrete work, accessibility features and building permits.
Is there help paying for it?
Not from the state at the moment. The Arkansas shelter rebate program ended in 2016, and ADEM says it doesn't offer state or federal money for individual shelters (Arkansas Division of Emergency Management). A storm shelter tax credit bill, HB1366, died in a House committee in 2025 (Arkansas Legislature, HB1366). The grants and rebates page covers what FEMA and the state do fund.
How to compare quotes
- Ask what's included: delivery, digging, concrete, anchoring, permit and cleanup.
- Ask which standard the shelter meets, ICC 500 or FEMA P-320, and get it in writing.
- Get the rated capacity and the door and hatch details, especially if anyone in the house has trouble with stairs.
- Ask how long installation takes and what warranty comes with it.
Sources: Angi, 2026 tornado shelter cost guide; HomeAdvisor tornado shelter cost guide. Prices are national averages, not quotes.
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