The 5 Cheapest Places
to Live in Arkansas

2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Arkansas

Methodology Brief
To establish an objective hierarchy of livability in Arkansas, Ocity.org conducted a quantitative analysis of the state’s ten largest municipalities. Our ranking algorithm employed a weighted composite score derived from three core metrics: Safety (40% weighting), Affordability (30% weighting), and Economic Output (30% weighting). Safety was measured by the inverse of the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents. Affordability was calculated by the inverse of median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment. Economic Output was defined by the median household income. This approach prioritizes statistical significance over subjective sentiment, providing a clear, data-optimized roadmap for relocation.

Top 3 Winners Deep Dive

Rank #1: Bentonville
Bentonville’s top-tier ranking is the direct result of a statistically dominant economic profile combined with a safety-optimized environment. The city’s median household income of $108,465 is an outlier, significantly elevating its Economic Output score. While its violent crime rate of 672/100k is not the lowest in the dataset, it is substantially below the state capital’s rate. Crucially, its affordability metric is highly favorable, with a one-bedroom rent of $773—a figure that, when juxtaposed with its high income, creates a high-yield cost-of-living ratio. Bentonville represents the optimal convergence of high earning potential and manageable living expenses, justifying its position as the premier location for economic stability.

Rank #2: Fayetteville
Fayetteville secures the second position through a balanced profile that excels in safety and economic consistency. Its violent crime rate of 345/100k is the lowest among the top three, representing a 49% reduction compared to the state capital. While its median income of $51,513 is modest relative to Bentonville, it remains competitive within the broader dataset. The affordability metric, with rent at 924, is neutral. The city’s ranking is driven by its safety-optimized environment, which provides a significant statistical advantage in the algorithm’s 40% safety weighting, making it the most secure large city in the state’s northwest quadrant.

Rank #3: Rogers
Rogers occupies the third position, characterized by a robust economic profile and a safety record identical to Bentonville’s. Its median income of $84,093 is the second-highest in the state, ensuring strong Economic Output scores. However, its affordability is slightly less favorable, with a one-bedroom rent of $924, creating a cost burden that is 19.5% higher than Bentonville’s. The city’s violent crime rate of 672/100k matches that of the number one ranked city, but the divergence in the affordability metric—weighted at 30%—is the decisive factor that separates Rogers from the top spot. It remains a high-yield option for high earners but does not match Bentonville’s overall cost-efficiency.

The 'Hidden Gem': Fort Smith
For value-oriented analysis, Fort Smith emerges as the dataset’s most compelling “Hidden Gem.” It offers the most favorable ratio of Economic Output to Affordability outside the top tier. With a median income of $54,009 and the lowest rent in the ranking at $678, Fort Smith provides a cost-of-living advantage that is statistically significant. Its violent crime rate of 567/100k is lower than that of four cities ranked above it, including Fayetteville. This combination of mid-tier income, lowest-in-class rent, and below-average crime creates a high-value proposition for residents prioritizing financial efficiency and safety.

Full Rankings Table