The 10 Best Places To Live In Arkansas For 2026

The 10 Best Places To Live In Arkansas For 2026

More on Bentonville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’ve been ranking the best places to live in Arkansas for a few years now and Bentonville has held onto the first place title throughout that time. Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains about a half-hour north of Fayetteville, Bentonville has grown to become something much more than just the corporate headquarters of Walmart (although you can still check out the first five-and-dime Waltons shop at the Walmart Museum). Besides being the top employer in the area, Walmart has aided Bentonville in other ways. Like setting up the free-of-charge Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, an architectural and artistic wonder all in one. Not to mention the art trails that connect the museum to Bentonville’s idyllic downtown. With all these top-notch family-friendly amenities around and award-winning public schools, it’s no wonder we named Bentonville the best place to raise a family in Arkansas.

You won’t have much to worry about in terms of security in Bentonville, because the crime rate here is less than half the statewide average. You’re honestly more likely to get banged up mountain biking at one of the internationally recognized (and awarded) trails in Bentonville.

You may want to study up before going to a pub quiz in Bentonville because over half the population has a college degree and nearly 20% of residents have a master’s degree or higher to boot. That hyper-education comes in handy when making a functional economy, seeing as Bentonville enjoys some of the lowest rates of poverty (5.2%) and unemployment (3.1%) in the state. Folks in Bentonville also have the
3rd highest median household income in the state, with a typical home bringing in around $112,792/year. Which is good, because homes in Bentonville are also the 3rd costliest in the state, with a median price tag of $488,112. Besides housing, though, the cost of living in Bentonville is just about on par with the rest of Arkansas. And if you’re a little wary of spending big bucks on a home in Bentonville, just remember that the city’s population has grown by a whopping 45% since 2010 and property values went up by over 10% in just the last year, making the purchase a fairly safe investment.

More on Maumelle: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Located on Interstate 40 just 20 minutes northwest of Little Rock, Maumelle is a city of 19,373 with a lot going for it. you’ll have no trouble finding Lake Valencia in the center of town, complete with a fountain, gazebo, and a boardwalk that runs along the shore. You can go fishing for rainbow trout or catfish, depending on the season, here or at nearby Lake Willastein. And of course, being so close to Little Rock means you can pay a visit to the Arkansas State Capitol any time you like.

Moving on to the statistical nitty-gritty, Maumelle is a stand-out city in several ways. Economically speaking, it doesn’t get much better than Maumelle. The city enjoys the 9th lowest poverty rate in Arkansas at just 7.1%. And it’s not like people are just scraping by here, either. Maumelle has the 4th highest median household income in the state at $103,333/year. Homes are also the 12th most expensive in Arkansas at $307,538. While the cost of living in Maumelle is just in line with the national average, it’s still about 15% higher than the statewide average, with housing a whopping 70% pricier. In other words, make sure you’ve got some savings or a lucrative job lined up before making the move to Maumelle.

On the bright side, tax dollars go to all the right places here. Maumelle’s school district spends 40% more per student than your average Arkansas district and it obviously pays off, seeing as the dropout rate is the 6th lowest in the state. As an added perk, 94.0% of Maumelle residents have health insurance, the 12th highest rate in Arkansas.

More on Cave Springs: Data | Crime | Movers

Cave Springs, located in Benton County, Arkansas, is a hidden gem and the number 3 best place to live in Arkansas for 2026. With its low cost of living and a high median income of 146,473, Cave Springs offers an exceptional quality of life. This charming city is known for its friendly community and is one of the best places to raise a family.

Cave Springs boasts a variety of attractions and activities for residents to enjoy. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the area’s scenic beauty by visiting nearby parks and nature trails. The city’s prime location within the state allows for easy access to Bentonville, just to the north, and Fayetteville, to the south, offering even more entertainment, dining, and shoppin gopportunities.

More on Farmington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’re returning to the rapidly-expanding Northwest Arkansas region for our 4th best city in Arkansas, Farmington. Farmington has its economy figured out pretty well, considering that unemployment is at just 0.7% and the poverty rate is the 3rd lowest in Arkansas at 3.8%. Homes in Farmington go for a median price of $333,516, the 10th highest in the state. Property values have been steadily rising in recent years, so it’s a good time to buy in Farmington.

Farmington’s public schools consistently perform better than the statewide average, with higher test scores and rates of graduation than most Arkansas school districts. Farmington also has the lowest high school dropout rate in the state, so the efforts of local school officials have certainly paid off. Not to mention that GreatSchools gave Farmington High School a 9/10 rating and a College Success Award. All these great features help explain why more than 1,000 people have moved to Farmington since 2010.

If you’re looking for the freshest produce in town, you’ll love having the year-round Fayetteville Farmer’s Market just 10 minutes down the road.

More on Centerton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Located in the rapidly-growing Northwest Arkansas region a half-hour north of Fayetteville, Centerton ranks as the 5th best place to call home in the state. Centerton itself is the main hub of the region’s growth. The city’s population has grown by nearly 70% since 2010, making it the fastest growing city in Arkansas. With a median age of a spritely 32, Centerton is also the youngest city to make this list. There are clearly enough jobs to support this population boom, seeing as the unemployment rate in Centerton is a measly 1.9%, the 5th lowest in Arkansas. Add to that easy access to Fayetteville’s Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and the ability to catch a Razorback’s game and you’ve got all the reasons why Centerton’s star has been rising in recent years.

The economy works for everyone in Centerton, as evidenced by the low poverty rate of 5.5%, the 6th lowest in Arkansas. When economic stress is low, crime tends to fall as well. That plays out in Centerton, which has the 2nd lowest crime rate in the state, with crime being about 60% lower than the statewide average. Housing is kind of pricey in Centerton, with a median rent of $1,465/month and a median home price of $349,882. Centerton’s residents are well able to handle these prices, though, seeing as they enjoy the 2nd highest median household income in Arkansas at $349,882.

More on Pea Ridge: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Pea Ridge is Bentonville suburb about ten miles north of the city close to the Missouri border. The small town of some 6,000 people punches above its weight on the quality of life scale. Pea Ridge National Military Park, Beaver Lake, and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art offer year round things to do and you can grab something to eat at the Pea Ridge Cafe or the Cannonball Cafe where everyone is sure to know your name.

On the number side of things, Pea Ridge had the 6th highest incomes in the Natural State in the latest Census data. Some of the major employers in the area contributing to that ranking include Walmart, Tyson Foods, and the University of Arkansas. Rounding out the picture with solid schools and low crime makes for a great place to call home.

More on Greenwood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Last up on our list of the best places to live in Arkansas is Greenwood, our first and only representative of Fort Smith suburbs. Greenwood is one of the safest cities in Arkansas, with a crime rate roughly 80% below the national average. Even if you do get into a scrap in Greenwood, you won’t have to worry about medical bills, because the city has the 4th highest rate of insured residents in the state.

In economic terms, Greenwood is one of the best cities on this list. While unemployment and poverty rates are slightly higher than in some cities featured above, they still rank near the best in the state. Greenwood is also one of Arkansas’s most affordable cities, with a cost of living well below the national average. A typical Greenwood home goes for around $238,464, while rent will set you back around $836/month. Residents earn the 2highest median household income in the state at $66,844/year and that number has grown by nearly 9% in the last year alone.

If you’re into military history, you’ll want to pay a visit to the Devil’s Backbone Civil War Battlefield. But if you’re just trying to get away from the noise of everyday life for a while, Bell Park will serve just fine.

More on Bryant: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

More than just a mere suburb, though, Bryant distinguishes itself as the number 8 best place in Arkansas to put down roots. Bryant is very affordable, sitting comfortably below the national average in cost of living. Residents, then, can easily stretch the $83,024 median income they earn. This figure sits at number 10.0 in Arkansas.

The median home value in the area is $254,712, while the unemployment rate hovers at 2.6%. Schools in the area are strong as well. Bryant Elementary School receives a score of 8/10 from Great Schools.

Located in the central part of Arkansas, Bryant sits just off I-30, a main travel artery through the state. This makes it an excellent home base for commuters, with the community providing a short half-hour drive into the state capital of Little Rock.

Along with its access to the state’s largest city, Bryant has other important selling points. A short trip will take you to the Ouachita National Forest. Or you can travel a little further and take a weekend trip to Memphis, Tennessee, located about two and a half hours away.

More on Rogers: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Rogers, located in Benton County, Arkansas, is a great place to live for many reasons. This city, known for its low cost of living and affordable housing options, offers residents a high quality of life. With a median home price of $385,742 and a median income of 86,728, Rogers provides an attractive opportunity for both homeownership and economic stability.

Rogers is situated in Northwest Arkansas, one of the country’s fastest-growing metro areas. This thriving region offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse dining options, and excellent shopping opportunities. Rogers is just a short drive away from Bentonville, the birthplace of Walmart and home to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Lastly, Rogers is conveniently located in the Ozarks, allowing residents to explore the region’s natural beauty easily.

More on Cabot: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Coming in as the 10th best place to live in Arkansas is Cabot, a Little Rock suburb of 26,960. Cabot has the 18th lowest crime rate in Arkansas, with violent crime being about 75% lower than the statewide average. The only signs of violence in Cabot can be found at the Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery, a very interesting site even for those who are not Civil War buffs. As for education, Cabot’s public schools received an average score of 8/10 from GreatSchools, with Cabot High School scoring a perfect 10/10 with a College Success Award to boot.

While the top two cities may have the edge in terms of income, Cabot is much more affordable than either. Homes in Cabot go for around $247,084 while a typical rental will set you back $1,110/month. Property taxes are also a good deal cheaper in Cabot, with most folks paying between $800-$1,499/year. If you do decide to settle down here, make sure you bring your party face. Between hosting Lonoke County’s biggest event, Cabotfest, each October and the spring Strawberry Festival each April, you’ll always have something to look forward to in Cabot.

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Arkansas

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in Arkansas across a number of criteria from one to 66, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Arkansas.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

• Median Home Values
• Median Income
• Population Density (Higher is better)
• Unemployment Rate
• Commute Time
• Crime
• Education Levels
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking Arkansas’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Arkansas. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Bentonville at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Best Places To Live In Arkansas Table