12 Best Places To Live In Arkansas, The US - Updated 2024

best places to live in arkansas
Kaycie Gayle
Kaycie Gayle 
Updated
| 4 min read

Many people don’t just visit Arkansas but also decide to live here due to its charm. Living here means being close to nature while enjoying modern life. Arkansas is filled with natural attractions such as rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and streams. It also has mountains, rolling hills, caves, rich wildlife, and national parks. The natural beauty of this state is balanced by modern facilities that can be enjoyed by its locals. It also features luxury cabins and RV rentals for visiting tourists. Despite being progressive and cosmopolitan, you can still find here quaint small towns with rustic shops and historic structures. Also, you can enjoy mingling with the community and join local events and celebrations. If you are thinking of staying longer in this gorgeous state or looking for the perfect spot to settle in, check out our list of the best places to live in Arkansas, the US.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 08, 2024.

1. Springdale (from USD 100)

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user EvanRBlack used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Springdale is a place where the old meet the new. The town’s rich and deep history involves the Missouri Railroad as well as the pioneers that used the Arkansas Heritage Trails System. Travelers can check out the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History if they want to learn more and try to immerse themselves before they plan on settling here.

Springdale offers an idyllic and safe place to live in Arkansas, perfect for those who like their days slow and quiet with some excitement every now and then. The town’s biggest annual event, the Rodeo of the Ozarks draws many visitors from all over. Likewise, Beaver Lake also becomes a hotspot for campers and outdoor adventurers looking to cool off.

Stayed at this property?

Residence Inn by Marriott Springdale

Address: 1740 S 48th St
10.97 km (6.9 mi) from Wilson Park

Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
room was clean and roomy
this hotel was really nice and clean
clean comfortable rooms and good location
Host:
staff very friendly and helpful
super friendly staff and very clean
Read more reviews
Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, and more when you book across our family of brands.

2. Hot Springs (from USD 106)

View1 Hot Springs NP Mountain Tower 2023
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Larry D. Moore used under CC BY 4.0

Hot Springs is a city that has plenty of claims to fame. The town gets its name from the multitude of natural hot springs in the area, many of which are used for thermal baths. The Hot Springs National Park is said to be both the oldest recognized and smallest in the country’s National Parks System. It’s also free to visit, which means travelers and locals can admire the verdant scenery of the place.

Not just content with amazing hot springs, it is also one of the best cities to live in Arkansas because of its festivities. You’ll have plenty of festivals to look forward to every year, such as the Hot Springs Music Festival, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, the Hot Springs Blues Festival, and even the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Stayed at this property?

DoubleTree by Hilton Hot Springs

Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille

Address: 4813 Central Ave
205.7 km (127.9 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre

Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
very new clean fresh pleasant comfortable
Location:
great location great looking place
Read more reviews
Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, and more when you book across our family of brands.

3. Little Rock (from USD 109)

Pinnacle Valley Farm, Little Rock, Arkansas
Source: Photo by Flickr user Nicolas Henderson used under CC BY 2.0

Planning for your family’s future, along with living in the present, makes managing finances a bit complicated. If you want to live in Arkansas and looking for a place where the cost of living is cheaper, then Little Rock is one of the best places to live for families. This Arkansas city offers new opportunities to work as the city has a steadily growing economy. This city has accessible farmers’ markets where you can buy fresh ingredients so you can consistently nourish yourself and your family with healthy eats.

Little Rock is also ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. One of the places you can enjoy with your family here is Arkansas River Trail.

Stayed at this property?

Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential

Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille Visual Aid: Tactile

Address: 707 Interstate 30
227.09 km (141.2 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre

4. Conway (from USD 134)

Conway
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Photolitherland used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Conway is a continuously thriving city that has racially diverse residents. Despite the variety, you can easily find acquaintances here since the city is not too big. Some of Arkansas’ best and liveliest neighborhoods are found in Conway. Moreover, there’s a lot of opportunities for you to participate in community events and activities.

Conway is also self-sufficient. It hosts good companies, entertainment, and shopping centers. Students here also have options to choose from different colleges. People can stay within the city without needing to travel to neighboring cities to study, work, or enjoy leisure.

Stayed at this property?

Home2 Suites By Hilton Conway

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 820 Bill Dean Drive
191.9 km (119.3 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Pets allowed 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry Dry cleaning

5. Fayetteville (from USD 143)

Best Places To Live In Arkansas, The US
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brandonrush used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Imagine yourself living in a charming city with plenty of delightful community facilities—this is what exactly the city of Fayetteville offers you. Sitting in the Ozark Mountains, living in this city enables you to enjoy being close to nature. Due to its diverse economy, it also has plenty of job opportunities. Fayetteville is also good for families as you can easily find recreational areas suited for bonding and leisure. In addition, you will be surrounded by friendly locals who are approachable and cooperative.

Stayed at this property?

Graduate Fayetteville

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 70 North East Avenue
1.14 km (0.8 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Non-smoking rooms

6. Bentonville (from USD 178)

Downtown Bentonville
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brandonrush used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Interested in finding a home city that is rich in history and culture? Then you may opt to live in Bentonville. This city has cultural spots and historic sites and districts. Aside from heritage sites, it also has green spaces, parks, and forests. Bentonville also has vibrant nightlife and entertainment, plus an interesting culinary scene. You can also enjoy sports and participate in different kinds of exciting local events.

Stayed at this property?

La Quinta by Wyndham Bentonville

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Tactile

Address: 1001 Southeast Walton
29.39 km (18.3 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry

7. Bryant (from USD 112)

Editor’s note: There’s no photo of the city available at the time of writing.

Living in a safe city is one of the things that you have to consider when looking for a place to settle in. Bryant has a low crime rate thus making it an ideal place to live in, especially if you decide to bring your family with you. Another reason why many prefer to live here for a longer period of time is its multicultural population. Bryant also makes it possible for you to enjoy leisure. This city is known for natural attractions such as Alexander Mountain and Hurricane Lake where you can spend outdoor activities during your free time. You will also find community amenities here such as parks, shops, and restaurants.

Stayed at this property?

La Quinta by Wyndham Little Rock - Bryant

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 408 West Commerce Drive
220.77 km (137.2 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry

8. Bella Vista

Lake in Bella Vista, Arkansas
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alfredo Carrillo used under CC BY 2.0

Good environment plus quality living are just some of the reasons why many are drawn to live in Bella Vista. This family-friendly city is perfect if you want to bring your family for longer vacations or stay here until you retire. The air quality here is excellent with plenty of scenic spots. Bella Vista has natural attractions such as hills, rivers, and lakes. Moreover, the cost of living here is affordable. Since its economy is strong and businesses are diverse, there are numerous job opportunities. While here, it is impossible not to be entertained as the city conducts celebrations all year round.

Stayed at this property?

9. Johnson (from USD 129)

Johnson Mill, Johnson, Arkansas
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brandonrush used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Dearly loved by those who live in it, Johnson is situated in an awesome location that is close to nature yet enjoys modern conveniences. Many of its residents appreciate their city for being a dry county. Locals and ex-pats can join in community celebrations such as the Peach Festival. Recreational activities that you can enjoy here are camping, boating, biking, and hiking. There are also plenty of ways to advance your knowledge here as it has good universities and museums.

Stayed at this property?

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fayetteville N / Springdale

Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille Visual Aid: Tactile

Address: 5437 South 48th Street
7.2 km (4.5 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Pets allowed 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Golf course (within 3 km) Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry

10. Rogers (from USD 154)

 Rogers, Arkansas
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brandonrush used under CC0

Located at the heart of the state, Rogers allows you to enjoy both the conveniences of living in the metro and the feel of being close to the mountains. Outdoor opportunities such as golfing camping, hiking, and water sports are available for families to enjoy. For the young ones, the city also has good schools. Shopping here is not a problem as Rogers has shopping centers such as Village on the Creeks, Pinnacle Hills Promenade, and Scottsdale Center.

Stayed at this property?

Hyatt Place Rogers/Bentonville

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 4610 West Walnut Street
29.03 km (18.1 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Golf course (within 3 km) Non-smoking rooms

11. Lowell (from USD 96)

Lowell
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brandonrush used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Situated in Benton County, Lowell is a charming and safe small town with a low crime rate. Since it is not located in an extremely busy city, you can enjoy a calm and quaint environment. Within the city, you can find restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Being close to everything, its residents can enjoy living conveniently. With an array of job opportunities, people don’t need to go outside the city to find a job. This city also has plenty of community-based businesses.

Stayed at this property?

Super 8 by Wyndham Lowell/Bentonville/Rogers Area

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 509 Hospitality Drive
20.25 km (12.6 mi) from Wilson Park

Parking 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry Facilities for disabled guests Free parking Internet services

12. Centerton

Centerton, Arkansas City Hall
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brandonrush used under CC0

This family-friendly city has good public schools. Living here is convenient as it offers plenty of community facilities. Centerton has a small but peaceful and friendly community, making it a good place to raise your family. This city continues to thrive in terms of economy and public facilities. There are also community events that you can enjoy with your family.

Stayed at this property?
Centerton, Arkansas, United States
33.91 km (21.1 mi) from Wilson Park
254 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire cottage 3 Beds 7 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 7

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
some extra chairs or tables in large bedroom would be a nice addition thanks lizzie & doug
i appreciated the coffee and fixings and the kitchen supplies so we could cook
the king sized bed was the comfiest bed we’ve ever slept on and the bedroom was stunning
Cleanliness:
stylish clean 100% as advertised
well decorated and extremely clean
this place is really clean and stylish
it was mostly clean
the linens were fresh and smelled clean
Host:
host is super transparent
hosts were very responsive
hosts were great to work with
hosts were very kind to us and very responsive with any questions
the owners were very easy to contact and responded promptly
Location:
the location is ideal
great location just outside of bentonville
a very cute cottage close to downtown bentonville
the city park nearby is wonderful
we loved this cute little cottage great value and good location to visit bentonville
Read more reviews

Let Arkansas be your home

Arkansas welcomes tourists and immigrants alike. For many, this state is not just a temporary destination but also a permanent home. With a multitude of lovely areas to explore, theme parks to check out, and places to visit, you will definitely find the perfect spot for you and your family.

Frequently asked questions about place to live in Arkansas


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Kaycie is a content writer that specializes in the travel industry. She writes regular blogs and articles for various websites. She is into local tourism and slow travel.

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