Best places to live in Arkansas
What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Arkansas using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
#10. Bryant
- Population: 20,231
- Median home value: $165,400 (67% own)
- Median rent: $882 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $66,688
- Top public schools: Collegeville Elementary School (A), Bethel Middle School (A), Parkway Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Arkansas Christian Academy (C), Childcare Network Bryant N Prickett Road, Childcare Network Bryant Prickett Road
#9. Conway
- Population: 66,127
- Median home value: $171,600 (48% own)
- Median rent: $825 (52% rent)
- Median household income: $47,221
- Top public schools: Greenbrier Wooster Elementary School (A), Greenbrier Middle School (A), Greenbrier Junior High School (A)
- Top private schools: Conway Christian School (A-), St. Joseph School (B+), Childcare Network Conway Highway 365
#8. Bella Vista
- Population: 28,539
- Median home value: $168,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $942 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $67,550
- Top public schools: Bentonville High School (A+), Ruth Barker Middle School (A), Washington Junior High School (A)
#7. Rogers
- Population: 66,344
- Median home value: $178,000 (58% own)
- Median rent: $898 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $61,551
- Top public schools: Haas Hall Academy At The Lane (A+), Bright Field Middle School (A+), Fulbright Junior High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Classical Christian Academy (A), St. Vincent de Paul School, First Baptist Christian School
#6. Lowell
- Population: 9,175
- Median home value: $157,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $836 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $68,438
- Top public schools: Rogers New Technology High School (A), Janie Darr Elementary School (A), Hunt Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Grace Lutheran Academy
#5. Centerton
- Population: 14,203
- Median home value: $185,400 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,091 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $75,631
- Top public schools: Bentonville West High School (A+), Bright Field Middle School (A+), Willowbrook Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Life Way Christian School (A-)
#4. Fayetteville
- Population: 85,166
- Median home value: $207,600 (37% own)
- Median rent: $799 (63% rent)
- Median household income: $43,690
- Top public schools: Haas Hall Academy (A+), Fayetteville High School (A), Woodland Junior High School (A)
- Top private schools: Fayetteville Christian School (A-), The New School (A-), Prism Education Center (A)
#3. Johnson
- Population: 3,707
- Median home value: $168,700 (50% own)
- Median rent: $903 (50% rent)
- Median household income: $69,211
- Top public schools: Fayetteville High School (A), Woodland Junior High School (A), Bernice Young Elementary School (A)
#2. Bentonville
- Population: 49,467
- Median home value: $232,600 (54% own)
- Median rent: $955 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $80,392
- Top public schools: Haas Hall Academy Bentonville (A+), Bright Field Middle School (A+), Willowbrook Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Thaden School (A), Bentonville Adventist School, Cadence Academy Preschool - Bentonville
#1. Cave Springs
- Population: 4,359
- Median home value: $309,600 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,138 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $134,740
- Top public schools: Bright Field Middle School (A+), Fulbright Junior High School (A+), Bentonville High School (A+)
