The 10 Safest Cities In Arkansas For 2026

You can find Cave Springs in the northwestern-most corner of Arkansas, near the borders of Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. The community, a suburb of Fayetteville, is also a short drive from the Ozark National Forest. All this gives Cave Springs the character of a crossroads: an easy drive into a larger city, a stopping-off point for travelers, and launching pad for fishing and camping activities.

Luckily, all the people passing through Cave Springs can go about their business with little worry. The community of 6,248 people is the number 2 safest spot in Arkansas. Only a handful of criminal acts were reported in the area. It had 16 property crimes being during a year and only a scant 6 violent crimes.

All told, the area ended up with a per-capita crime rate of 352/100k people. That's the second safest of any population center in Arkansas.

Once a railroad stop and a fruit orchard community, Centerton is now at the center of it all. Not just because it made our list, of course, but because it's so safe.

Centerton has been holding strong on our top 10 list for the last couple of years. So, it's no surprise that it's our third safest city in Arkansas.

Located in The Natural State's extreme northwest corner, Centerton is truly "Arkansas at Its Best." With the help of their famous McKissick Springs and their steady growth in the city's economy, education and hospitality, Centerton was able to score 8/10 in safety and an 8.5/10 in affordability. Affordable and welcoming! Good work Centerton.

So flip on your moving truck hazards, put on your fluorescent orange safety vest, grab the kids, and move your life to Centerton, Arkansas. Take if from us, that would be the safe thing to do.

Prairie Grove neighbors #6 ranked Farmington, so this whole area is a safe bet if you're looking for a safe place to raise a family.

Visiting local places like Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park reminds you that, in this city, violence is more of a historical concept than modern problem.

Of all the cities on this list, Prairie Grove saw the greatest improvement in its safety numbers when compared to the previous year of data. While Farmington earned its spot on this list by having an impressive property crime ranking, Prairie Grove's excellence is derived more from its excellent violent crime ranking -- the sixth best in Arkansas.

Greenwood is the ideal destination when you're trying find that true Arkansas heritage and small city vibes. We're not sure if it's where the bobcats roam, but we do know that it's safe enough to let your children roam. And this is definitely one of the reasons it's hanging strong as our sixth safest city in The Land of Opportunity.

Greenwood is known for its strong housing market, unbreakable economy, and overall affordability. One thing we do know for sure, however, is that there is a true sense of safety and community in this little village in Sebastian County.

Greenwood's motto is 'Feels Like Home," and we would have to agree. This city in central Arkansas offers a safe environment with small town charm that packs a big punch. Not literally, of course. No fighting happens here; that wouldn't be safe. Not to mention, there are a lot of hunters, here.

Welcome to our seventh safest city in the Wonder State: Bella Vista. Once a retirement community, this city in Benton County owes its safety ranking to its Property Owners Association. They make their residents keep everything clean and safe. Why does Bella Vista have a POA? Well, when you have to keep numerous parks, clubhouses, swimming pools, six golf courses, seven lakes, tennis courts..you get the point, safe, it takes some money.

Bella Vista is every outdoor enthusiasts dream with extensive hiking and biking trails, lush forests, and valleys and creeks. To be safe, just make sure you wear an orange vest when your out and about because we wouldn't want a hunter to mistake you for a deer.

Located in Washington County in northwestern Arkansas, the little city of Farmington ranks as the sixth safest place in the state.

Farmington has the 10th best ranking for violent crimes in Arkansas, but that impressive accolade isn't Farmington's safest feature. Property crime is almost unheard of in Farmington, with only one reported robbery in the last year of data.

That's good news for people hiking or biking the West Kessler Mountain Road, who definitely don't need to worry about lurking bandits.

This true-to-definition Arkansas city is our ninth safest city. Maumelle's a place where work and play meet in this affluent city in Pulaski County. Maumelle's small town charm delivers big opportunities to all that are searching for a safe, not scary, place to call home. Heck, they scored a whopping 9/10 on our snackability scale with education and job opportunities leading the charge.

Maumelle's slogan should be: "Where It's Happening". They have Lake Willastein and Lake Valencia, several bicycles trails and wooden bridges, and they boast the longest pedestrian bridge in North America. We think that definitely shouts love for their residents.

So, if safe, family friendly, economically sound communities, that are happening, is your cup of tea, you better hurry because Maumelle's homes are selling like hotcakes.

It might not be Little Rock, but this little town with a vibrant downtown scene, unforgettable summer festivals, and year-round fun is just as notable and just as safe. Probably because it's home to the Fortune 500 companies, Walmart, Tyson Foods, and JB Hunt. And definitely why it is our tenth safest city in Arkansas.

It's not a surprise considering this northwest Arkansas' city scored a 9/10 snackability rating with an emphasis on education and affordability. It's a great place to raise a family. And word on the street is that young professionals are starting to take notice and move Bentonville's direction. So don't wait, because the word is out.

This safe city nestled inside Benton County, that draws its cultural influences from the Midwest, West, and the South boasts top notch restaurants, one of kind stores, 22 parks, and over 50 miles of trails. Safe and healthy: good work Bentonville! We know why you are Arkansas' ninth largest city.