Best places to live in Arkansas
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
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.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#14. Bentonville, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 126
- Population: 54,513
- Median household income: $99,074
- Median home value: $338,500 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,151 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: Haas Hall Academy Jones Center (Springdale) (grade A+), Haas Hall Academy (grade A+), Haas Hall Academy at the Lane (Rogers) (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Thaden School (grade A+), Shiloh Christian School (grade A), Ozark Adventist Academy (grade A minus)
#13. Cave Springs, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 225
- Population: 5,521
- Median household income: $143,393
- Median home value: $368,100 (95% own)
- Median rent: $2,142 (5% rent)
- Top public schools: Haas Hall Academy Jones Center (Springdale) (grade A+), Haas Hall Academy (grade A+), Haas Hall Academy at the Lane (Rogers) (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Thaden School (grade A+), Shiloh Christian School (grade A), Providence Classical Christian Academy (grade A minus)
#12. Centerton, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 1,345
- Population: 18,655
- Median household income: $104,464
- Median home value: $247,800 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,261 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Haas Hall Academy at the Lane (Rogers) (grade A+), Fulbright Junior High School (grade A+), Evening Star Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Thaden School (grade A+), Ozark Adventist Academy (grade A minus), Providence Classical Christian Academy (grade A minus)
#11. Reservoir, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 2,145
- Population: 6,782
- Median household income: $100,246
- Median home value: $223,583 (61% own)
- Median rent: $869 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#10. Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 1,926
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
#9. Johnson, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 1,632
- Population: 3,605
- Median household income: $82,386
- Median home value: $236,100 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,093 (50% rent)
- Top public schools: Haas Hall Academy Jones Center (Springdale) (grade A+), Haas Hall Academy (grade A+), Haas Hall Academy Bentonville (grade A)
- Top private schools: Shiloh Christian School (grade A), Fayetteville Christian School (grade A minus), Providence Classical Christian Academy (grade A minus)
#8. Walnut Valley, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 1,537
- Population: 7,827
- Median household income: $56,813
- Median home value: $191,437 (33% own)
- Median rent: $977 (67% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#7. Capital View/Stiff, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 1,188
- Population: 2,538
- Median household income: $63,069
- Median home value: $226,550 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,006 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#6. Midtown, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 1,118
- Population: 12,200
- Median household income: $83,714
- Median home value: $255,832 (69% own)
- Median rent: $988 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#5. Heights, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 1,039
- Population: 8,926
- Median household income: $121,970
- Median home value: $604,234 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,108 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#4. Rock Creek, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 839
- Population: 18,379
- Median household income: $84,113
- Median home value: $298,502 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,179 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#3. Downtown, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 637
- Population: 2,911
- Median household income: $57,183
- Median home value: $274,331 (22% own)
- Median rent: $942 (78% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#2. River Mountain, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 125
- Population: 25,046
- Median household income: $122,155
- Median home value: $338,623 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,070 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
#1. Hillcrest, Arkansas
- Overall Rank: 68
- Population: 5,911
- Median household income: $94,791
- Median home value: $320,371 (58% own)
- Median rent: $964 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A), LISA Academy North Middle-High School - High School (grade A), Maumelle Charter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pulaski Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Collegiate School (grade A+), Little Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
