Cost of Living
NWA City Cost Comparison
All five NWA cities offer dramatically lower costs than comparable metros — but they differ from each other. Here's the side-by-side breakdown.
Bentonville
Rogers
Fayetteville
Springdale
Bella Vista
| Category | 🚲 Bentonville | ⛵ Rogers | 🎸 Fayetteville | 🌮 Springdale | 🏔️ Bella Vista |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $425K | $370K | $320K | $280K | $290K |
| Avg 2BR Rent | $1,600 | $1,400 | $1,200 | $1,050 | $1,100 |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.65% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Monthly Groceries | $380/mo | $360/mo | $340/mo | $310/mo | $350/mo |
| Monthly Utilities | $165/mo | $155/mo | $150/mo | $145/mo | $155/mo |
| Commute (to Bentonville) | ~15 min | ~12 min to Bentonville | ~30 min to Bentonville | ~22 min to Bentonville | ~20 min to Bentonville |
| Overall Cost | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ |
Which City Fits Your Budget?
Bentonville
$$$$ · $425K medianCorporate, polished, trail-focused
Best for: Walmart employees, mountain bikers, families
Full Bentonville Guide →Rogers
$$$ · $370K medianBalanced, lake access, central
Best for: Families, value hunters, lake lovers
Full Rogers Guide →Fayetteville
$$$ · $320K medianCollege town, vibrant, diverse
Best for: Remote workers, creatives, U of A employees
Full Fayetteville Guide →Springdale
$$ · $280K medianDiverse, affordable, family-focused
Best for: First-time buyers, budget-conscious families
Full Springdale Guide →Bella Vista
$$ · $290K medianNature-first, quiet, trails everywhere
Best for: Retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers
Full Bella Vista Guide →NWA vs. The Rest of the Country
Even Bentonville — the most expensive city in NWA — costs dramatically less than comparable metros. Here's how NWA stacks up nationally:
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