Best Places to Live in Arkansas

Elm Springs is one of the best small towns in Arkansas offering quiet residential living with commutes to Springdale and Rogers employment centers. Residents enjoy small-town atmosphere, affordable housing, local parks, and family-friendly neighborhoods. Highway 112 and I-49 access (10 minutes) provide convenient connections across Northwest Arkansas with rural character and metro proximity.

Cave Springs is one of the best towns in Arkansas offering peaceful residential living with commutes to Bentonville and Rogers employment centers. Residents enjoy historic downtown, natural springs, Cave Springs Park, and tight-knit community atmosphere. Highway 112 connects to I-49 corridor (10 minutes) with affordable housing and scenic Ozark foothills setting.

Bentonville is widely recognized as the best place to live in Arkansas and home to Walmart headquarters with exceptional employment in retail, tech, and professional services. Residents enjoy Crystal Bridges Museum, downtown square, extensive trail systems, and upscale neighborhoods. I-49 provides regional connectivity with Northwest Arkansas National Airport nearby and world-class amenities.

Rogers is a thriving Northwest Arkansas city that regularly ranks among the best places to live in Arkansas. Residents benefit from a strong job base tied to nearby Walmart headquarters, plus opportunities in retail, healthcare, and tech. Locals enjoy a walkable historic downtown, the upscale Pinnacle Hills area, and outdoor time at Lake Atalanta Park. I‑49 and nearby Northwest Arkansas National Airport provide easy regional and national access, supporting a vibrant, well-connected community.

A fast-growing Northwest Arkansas suburb, Centerton is among the best places to live in Arkansas for families with affordable family living and access to Walmart, Tyson Foods, and many regional employers. Residents enjoy newer neighborhoods, the upcoming Centerton Community Center on Keller Road, and parks like McKissic Springs Station Park. Families also benefit from strong Bentonville Schools, including Centerton Gamble Elementary. These perks help make Centerton one of the best places to live in Arkansas.

A rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas city, Lowell is among the best places to live in Arkansas with employment in retail, manufacturing, and logistics. Residents enjoy affordable newer neighborhoods, family-friendly parks, and small-town atmosphere. I-49 provides 10-minute commutes to Bentonville and Rogers with convenient Northwest Arkansas National Airport access.

Jonesboro is a thriving regional hub in northeast Arkansas and one of the best places in the state to live. Arkansas State University anchors the city, with employment in education, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. Residents enjoy Craighead Forest Park, a revitalized downtown, and family-friendly neighborhoods. Highway 63 and I‑555 connect to Memphis in about 70–90 minutes, and Jonesboro Municipal Airport adds extra connectivity and college-town energy.

Siloam Springs is a tight-knit Northwest Arkansas college town with a friendly, small-town feel and real amenities. John Brown University anchors the community, with jobs in education, manufacturing, and healthcare. Residents enjoy a nationally recognized historic downtown, Sager Creek trails, natural springs, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Highway 412 links quickly to the I‑49 corridor, pairing affordable living with Ozark charm.

Arkansas's capital and largest city, Little Rock is one of the best cities to live in Arkansas, offering diverse employment in government, healthcare, finance, and technology with major employers like Arkansas Children's Hospital. Residents enjoy historic Hillcrest and Heights neighborhoods, revitalized River Market District, and cultural attractions. I-40 and I-30 provide regional connectivity with Clinton National Airport access, making it a top choice among cities in Arkansas.

Arkansas's second-largest city on the Oklahoma border, Fort Smith is one of the best cities to live in Arkansas with diverse employment in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and military at Fort Chaffee. Residents enjoy historic downtown, Chaffee Crossing development, and riverfront parks. I-40 and I-540 provide regional connectivity with Fort Smith Regional Airport access and affordable urban living.