Arkansas
Arkansas ranks #49 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 31.0/100 and a F grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (93/100) and its weakest is Health (2/100).
How Does Arkansas Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Arkansas
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | Bentonville | A+ | 63.8 | 56,326 | $108,465 | 243.9 | — |
| 335 | Rogers | B+ | 56.9 | 74,047 | $84,093 | 384.6 | 91 |
| 390 | Bella Vista | B | 55.5 | 30,935 | $85,932 | 147.6 | — |
| 497 | Cabot | B | 53.0 | 26,733 | $72,656 | 407.6 | — |
| 525 | Benton | C+ | 52.4 | 35,954 | $69,638 | 457.7 | — |
| 600 | Fayetteville | C+ | 50.8 | 101,694 | $51,513 | 427.1 | 91 |
| 609 | Sherwood | C+ | 50.6 | 32,915 | $79,157 | 568.9 | — |
| 644 | Springdale | C+ | 49.7 | 89,394 | $68,544 | 566.3 | 91 |
| 661 | Conway | C | 49.2 | 69,577 | $62,886 | 556.9 | 89.1 |
| 757 | Jonesboro | C | 46.7 | 80,655 | $57,264 | 646.8 | 85.7 |
| 796 | Russellville | C | 45.4 | 29,057 | $48,708 | 544.1 | — |
| 868 | Fort Smith | D | 42.7 | 89,771 | $54,009 | 1023.1 | 85.1 |
| 897 | Hot Springs | D | 41.6 | 38,023 | $46,441 | 523.8 | 85.8 |
| 913 | Little Rock | D | 41.0 | 203,844 | $59,762 | 1801.6 | 89.1 |
| 916 | Paragould | D | 40.9 | 29,940 | $56,181 | 1264.6 | — |
| 951 | Jacksonville | F | 38.8 | 29,285 | $46,947 | 1126.2 | 99.2 |
| 957 | North Little Rock | F | 38.3 | 64,504 | $51,236 | 1247.4 | 89.1 |
| 967 | Texarkana | F | 37.3 | 29,343 | $47,930 | 935.9 | 85.3 |
| 994 | Pine Bluff | F | 32.2 | 40,436 | $41,250 | 1660.9 | 80.3 |
| 996 | West Memphis | F | 30.6 | 24,147 | $41,860 | 2510 | — |
Best Cities in Arkansas for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bentonville | 62.9 | 51.5 | 83.5 | 69.4 |
| 2 | Rogers | 59.8 | 60.7 | 70.7 | 80.5 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | 56.4 | 59.8 | 56.3 | 80.6 |
| 4 | Cabot | 56.3 | 57.2 | 66.8 | 76.8 |
| 5 | Benton | 55.2 | 58.4 | 59.3 | 76.5 |
More South States
Arkansas Rankings Overview
Arkansas earns an overall grade of F with a composite score of 31 out of 100, ranking #49 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (93/100) while its biggest challenge is Health (2/100).
Economy & Employment in Arkansas
With an unemployment rate of 4.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Arkansas performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $56,335, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Arkansas
Arkansas's violent crime rate of 579 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety. This is significantly above the national average of 350 per 100,000.
Health & Education in Arkansas
Arkansas ranks #49 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #43 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Arkansas is 74.8 years, and the high school graduation rate is 88%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Arkansas
Arkansas's total tax burden is 8.61% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 3.9%. The effective property tax rate is 0.59% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.46%.
Housing & Affordability in Arkansas
The median home price in Arkansas is $253,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 87 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
Environment in Arkansas
Arkansas has a median air quality index of 42 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 12% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 39.6 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Arkansas
Arkansas's population growth rate is +0.5% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +4.4 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 87.1% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Arkansas
The top-ranked cities in Arkansas based on our composite scoring are Bentonville, Rogers, and Bella Vista. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Arkansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arkansas's overall ranking?
Arkansas ranks #49 out of 50 states with a composite score of 31/100 and a grade of F.
Is Arkansas a good place to live?
Arkansas faces several challenges, scoring 31/100 in our composite rankings. Areas such as crime rates and economic indicators trail the national average, though the state offers its own unique qualities and ongoing improvement efforts.
What is the crime rate in Arkansas?
The violent crime rate in Arkansas is 579 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Arkansas's economy compare?
Arkansas's median household income is $56,335 with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Arkansas?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Arkansas are Bentonville, Rogers, and Bella Vista.
How does Arkansas rank for families?
Arkansas ranks #48 of 50 states for families with a score of 32.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Arkansas rank for retirees?
Arkansas ranks #49 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 42/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Arkansas rank for remote workers?
Arkansas ranks #44 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 47.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.