Best Cities for Young Professionals in Arkansas
Arkansas ranks #38 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 44.6. Bentonville is its best city for young professionals at 66.2.
- Arkansas, all states
- #38 of 50
- Population
- 58,249
What Young Professionals Should Know About Arkansas
Arkansas ranks #38 out of 50 for young professionals, suggesting some tradeoffs for career-focused relocators. The state's economy scores 29/100, though with 4.1% unemployment and a median household income of $62,106. Modest population growth of 0.6% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. Arkansas's cost-of-living index of 86.9 is significantly below the national average, meaning entry-level salaries go further here than in most metros. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Arkansas's livability score of 25/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 43/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bentonville | A+ | 66.2 | 68.2 | 75 | 63 | 37 | 58,249 |
| 2Bella Vista | A | 63.7 | 66.0 | 59 | 79 | 28 | 31,697 |
| 3Rogers | B+ | 60.4 | 61.5 | 64 | 64 | 34 | 72,981 |
| 4Fayetteville | B | 59.2 | 57.4 | 50 | 71 | 52 | 99,319 |
| 5Benton | B | 56.8 | 56.8 | 56 | 60 | 35 | 36,595 |
| 6Cabot | C+ | 54.5 | 54.8 | 57 | 50 | 32 | 26,960 |
| 7Sherwood | C+ | 54.5 | 54.3 | 57 | 47 | 40 | 33,070 |
| 8Springdale | C+ | 54.4 | 54.2 | 55 | 56 | 36 | 88,160 |
| 9Conway | C | 53.8 | 51.7 | 50 | 60 | 36 | 67,642 |
| 10Paragould | C | 50.8 | 49.9 | 43 | 53 | 34 | 30,215 |
| 11Russellville | C | 49.8 | 49.7 | 39 | 43 | 40 | 29,162 |
| 12Jonesboro | D | 49.0 | 47.9 | 43 | 48 | 35 | 80,137 |
| 13Little Rock | D | 48.8 | 45.3 | 47 | 43 | 53 | 203,436 |
| 14Fort Smith | D | 47.8 | 47.7 | 44 | 42 | 36 | 89,805 |
| 15Hot Springs | D | 47.4 | 46.5 | 39 | 39 | 43 | 37,920 |
| 16North Little Rock | F | 46.7 | 42.4 | 41 | 43 | 53 | 64,538 |
| 17Jacksonville | F | 44.8 | 41.9 | 36 | 45 | 36 | 29,221 |
| 18Texarkana | F | 42.7 | 39.7 | 35 | 39 | 37 | 29,177 |
| 19West Memphis | F | 36.0 | 35.3 | 22 | 18 | 60 | 23,929 |
| 20Pine Bluff | F | 34.9 | 34.7 | 23 | 18 | 36 | 39,743 |
City young professionals 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.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Arkansas for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arkansas a good state for young professionals?
Arkansas ranks #38 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 44.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (90/100) and its weakest is Livability (25/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Arkansas?
Bentonville ranks #1 in Arkansas for young professionals with a score of 66.2/100, followed by Bella Vista and Rogers.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Arkansas?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.