Top Neighborhoods
Rogers, Arkansas has quietly become one of the most complex real estate puzzles in Northwest Arkansas. You're not just choosing a zip code here—you're buying into a specific lifestyle, commute pattern, and school district that will define your next 5-10 years.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Rogers
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Rogers | Urban walkable | $1,100-$1,600 | Young professionals, empty nesters | ~72 |
| Pinnacle Hills | Upscale suburban | $1,300-$1,900 | Corporate transplants, families | ~45 |
| Oakdale | Quiet residential | $950-$1,350 | Budget-conscious families | ~35 |
| Hillcrest | Historic charm | $1,050-$1,500 | First-time buyers, renovation DIYers | ~58 |
| South Rogers | Working class | $800-$1,100 | Essential workers, investors | ~28 |
Downtown Rogers
Overview: The beating heart of Rogers where Pinnacle Country Club meets the Arkansas Music Pavilion. Center Street's brick-paved corridor is lined with locally-owned businesses that survive because locals actually support them, not just tourists.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,100 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,500 - $2,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $320k - $420k
- 🚗 Commute: 8 min to Mercy Hospital | 12 min to Pinnacle Hills Promenade
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~72 (Most errands doable on foot)
Local Intel: The farmers market on West Poplar (Saturdays, April-October) is where you'll actually run into neighbors. Avoid parking on Chestnut during 5-6 PM—everyone's trying to get into the Victory Theater. The best coffee deal is at Onyx Coffee Lab's original location: $2.50 drip before 9 AM if you bring your own mug.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who need human contact and want to walk to dinner. Empty nesters selling their Pinnacle Hills mansion and downsizing without losing amenities.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Walk Score of 72 is nearly unheard-of in Rogers
- ✅ 12-minute drive to major employers like Tyson and Walmart Home Office
- ❌ Older housing stock means plumbing surprises (get a thorough inspection)
- ❌ Weekend noise from AMP events and bar traffic on Dickson Street
Schools: Rogers School District (rated B+). Downtown feeds into Rogers High School, which has a strong AP program but aging facilities.
The Verdict: Move here if you want genuine urban living and can handle 1950s-era maintenance. Avoid if you need a two-car garage and quiet after 10 PM.
Pinnacle Hills
Overview: The "new money" zip code where Walmart executives live when they don't want to commute from Bentonville. Master-planned perfection with sidewalks that actually connect and parks that stay green year-round.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,300 - $1,900/mo (1BR) | $1,800 - $2,500/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $450k - $650k
- 🚗 Commute: 18 min to downtown Rogers | 22 min to Bentonville Crystal Bridges area
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent, but walkable within the community)
Local Intel: The Pinnacle Country Club membership waitlist is currently 14 months. The back entrance off Pleasant Grove Road cuts 7 minutes off Promenade traffic during peak hours. The neighborhood's trail system connects directly to the Razorback Greenway, but most residents don't use it—use it for your bike commute.
Who Thrives Here: Corporate transplants with relocation packages. Families who prioritize newer schools and want their kids in activities with other high-income families.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ New construction (post-2010) with modern floor plans and energy efficiency
- ✅ 12-minute drive to Pinnacle Hills Promenade for shopping/dining
- ❌ HOA fees ($180-$280/month) that cover amenities you may not use
- ❌ Zero architectural character—every house looks like a gray box
Schools: Rogers School District (B+), specifically the new Pinnacle Hills Elementary (opened 2019) and the highly-rated Rogers High School.
The Verdict: Perfect for families who want suburban perfection and can afford the premium. Skip it if you value character over convenience or dislike HOA oversight.
Oakdale
Overview: The hidden gem where long-time Rogers families live. Tree-lined streets, modest mid-century homes, and neighbors who've known each other for decades. This is the "real" Rogers.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $950 - $1,350/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,600/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $250k - $350k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to downtown | 25 min to Bentonville
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Car-dependent, but quiet streets for biking)
Local Intel: The Oakdale Park playground was rebuilt in 2021 and stays packed with local kids. The neighborhood's best-kept secret: Oakdale Market's fried chicken is better than any restaurant in Pinnacle Hills at half the price. Avoid Dover Street during school drop-off (7:45-8:15 AM)—it's a parking lot.
Who Thrives Here: First-time buyers stretch their budget here. Essential workers who need reasonable commutes to Mercy Hospital or downtown Rogers businesses.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Median home price 38% below city-wide average
- ✅ Strong sense of community; block parties are actually a thing here
- ❌ Schools are average at best; Rogers High is underperforming compared to neighboring districts
- ❌ Older homes need HVAC and roof updates (budget $15k-$25k)
Schools: Rogers School District (B). Oakdale Elementary is decent, but test scores drop through middle and high school.
The Verdict: Best value for buyers who can handle renovations. Ideal for families who want community over amenities. Avoid if you're chasing top-tier schools or need new construction.
Hillcrest
Overview: Historic Rogers charm with Victorian and Craftsman homes that actually have original woodwork. The neighborhood's revival is being led by young professionals who've bought fixer-uppers and are slowly restoring the area's glory.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,050 - $1,500/mo (1BR) | $1,400 - $1,900/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $280k - $380k (fixer) | $380k - $480k (renovated)
- 🚗 Commute: 10 min to downtown | 20 min to Pinnacle Hills
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~58 (Somewhat walkable to Center Street)
Local Intel: The Hillcrest Neighborhood Association meets monthly at the historic Rogers Little Theater. The best renovation contractors are booked 6 months out—plan ahead. Parking is brutal during the Rogers Christmas Parade (first weekend in December). The neighborhood's alleyways are being repaved in 2024—finally.
Who Thrives Here: DIY enthusiasts who want historic character. Young professionals who don't mind a 10-minute drive and want to be part of a neighborhood revival.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ True architectural character that appreciates faster than new builds
- ✅ Walking distance to downtown's best restaurants (Vetro, Paris Child)
- ❌ Street parking only for most properties; garages are rare
- ❌ Some blocks still have crime issues—check the Rogers PD crime map for specific streets
Schools: Rogers School District (B+). The neighborhood feeds into Rogers High, which has decent programs but struggles with overall performance metrics.
The Verdict: Move here if you love old houses and community activism. Avoid if you need move-in ready or have small children who need immediate park access.
South Rogers
Overview: The working-class heart of Rogers where service industry employees actually live. Older ranch-style homes, mobile home parks, and the occasional flip. This is where the people who make your coffee and stock your groceries live.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $800 - $1,100/mo (1BR) | $1,000 - $1,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $180k - $280k
- 🚗 Commute: 20 min to downtown | 15 min to Mercy Hospital
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~28 (Very car-dependent)
Local Intel: The South Rogers Community Center hosts free ESL classes and is the neighborhood's social hub. The Walmart on 8th Street is the busiest in Rogers—avoid 5-7 PM. The area's best taco truck is behind the Shell station on 10th Street (open 11 AM-9 PM). Crime is concentrated near the 8th-10th Street corridor—west of that is generally safe.
Who Thrives Here: Essential workers in healthcare and retail. Investors buying rental properties with cash flow in mind. Immigrant families building community.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Most affordable housing in Rogers; rent 30% below city median
- ✅ Closest neighborhood to Mercy Hospital (8-minute drive)
- ❌ Violent crime rate 2.3x higher than city average (check specific blocks)
- ❌ Schools are below average; limited extracurriculars
Schools: Rogers School District (C+). Woolsey Elementary and Oakdale Middle struggle with funding and test scores.
The Verdict: Best for investors and essential workers who need affordability. Avoid if you have school-age children or prioritize safety metrics.
Final Advice
For young professionals: Downtown Rogers is your winner—walkable, social, and a quick commute to Pinnacle Hills employers. The $1,200-$1,400 rent range is worth it for the lifestyle.
For families: Pinnacle Hills if you can afford it (budget $2,000+ for rent/mortgage). Oakdale if you want community and can accept average schools (budget $1,300-$1,500).
For retirees: Downtown Rogers offers walkability and community without the Pinnacle Hills price tag. The 12-minute drive to Mercy Hospital is crucial for medical access.
Traffic reality check: The I-49 corridor between Rogers and Bentonville is a parking lot 7:30-9:00 AM and 4:30-6:00 PM. If you work in Bentonville, live north of 14th Street. If you work in Rogers, south of 14th is fine.
Counterintuitive recommendation: Don't sleep on Hillcrest. The neighborhood's revival is real, historic homes appreciate faster than new builds, and you're 10 minutes from everything. The street parking is annoying, but you can't beat the character-to-price ratio in Northwest Arkansas right now.