Best Cities for Families in Arkansas
Arkansas ranks #44 of 50 for families, with a families score of 49.1. Bentonville is its best city for families at 68.9.
- Arkansas, all states
- #44 of 50
- Population
- 58,249
What Families Should Know About Arkansas
Arkansas ranks #44 out of 50 for families, placing it in the bottom tier of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in affordability (90/100) — but Arkansas's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around outdoor access and livability.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Arkansas faces challenges on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 88.2%, roughly in line with national norms. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 49/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care costs $9,727 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Arkansas faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 531.8 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The low cost of living (index: 86.9) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bentonville | A+ | 68.9 | 68.2 | 60 | 90 | 68 | 58,249 |
| 2Bella Vista | A | 65.7 | 66.0 | — | 93 | 73 | 31,697 |
| 3Rogers | B+ | 63.0 | 61.5 | 59 | 82 | 74 | 72,981 |
| 4Fayetteville | B | 60.0 | 57.4 | 59 | 65 | 75 | 99,319 |
| 5Benton | B | 59.1 | 56.8 | 57 | 65 | 82 | 36,595 |
| 6Cabot | C+ | 59.0 | 54.8 | 57 | 73 | 82 | 26,960 |
| 7Springdale | C+ | 56.9 | 54.2 | 55 | 64 | 79 | 88,160 |
| 8Russellville | C | 56.6 | 49.7 | 65 | 67 | 90 | 29,162 |
| 9Paragould | C | 55.7 | 49.9 | 61 | 70 | 89 | 30,215 |
| 10Sherwood | C+ | 55.4 | 54.3 | 58 | 54 | 82 | 33,070 |
| 11Conway | C | 54.4 | 51.7 | 54 | 62 | 81 | 67,642 |
| 12Jonesboro | D | 53.8 | 47.9 | 59 | 52 | 85 | 80,137 |
| 13Fort Smith | D | 52.4 | 47.7 | 60 | 32 | 88 | 89,805 |
| 14Hot Springs | D | 51.7 | 46.5 | 58 | 51 | 88 | 37,920 |
| 15Jacksonville | F | 47.3 | 41.9 | 52 | 22 | 86 | 29,221 |
| 16Little Rock | D | 47.1 | 45.3 | 54 | 15 | 81 | 203,436 |
| 17Texarkana | F | 45.4 | 39.7 | 51 | 23 | 89 | 29,177 |
| 18West Memphis | F | 44.8 | 35.3 | 62 | 18 | 87 | 23,929 |
| 19North Little Rock | F | 44.3 | 42.4 | 51 | 17 | 84 | 64,538 |
| 20Pine Bluff | F | 43.7 | 34.7 | 54 | 17 | 94 | 39,743 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Arkansas for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arkansas a good state for families?
Arkansas ranks #44 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 49.1/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (90/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (15/100).
What is the best city for families in Arkansas?
Bentonville ranks #1 in Arkansas for families with a score of 68.9/100, followed by Bella Vista and Rogers.
What factors are most important for families in Arkansas?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.