Skyline of Bentonville
Cost of Living: 100 55,000

Bentonville, AR, US

Walmart's global headquarters with world-class Crystal Bridges Museum and mountain biking.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Bentonville is a city in AR with a population of 55,000. Walmart’s global headquarters with world-class Crystal Bridges Museum and mountain biking. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The population skews young, with a median age of 31.9.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income $72,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.2%

Job market health

Bentonville vs US Average

Cost of Living
Bentonville: 100
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bentonville: 115
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Bentonville: 3.9%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3.9%
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $72,000
  • Unemployment: 2.2%
  • Population: 55,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 215/year
  • Summer High: 91°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $380,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1300/mo

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Cost of Living

Bentonville's cost of living index is 100 (US average = 100).

CategoryBentonvilleNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$380,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,625/mo
Price per Sq Ft$253

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bentonville:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$86Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$67Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$11Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$294Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Bentonville scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
$1300
Sunny Days
215
Tax
3.9%
Unemployment
2.2%
Climate
91°F / 30°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
55,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Bentonville has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April76°F45°F2.8"
July91°F66°F1.5"
October71°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Bentonville faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3.9%
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.64% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.2%.

Schools & Education

95/100
School Quality Score
Better than 92% of US cities
?
26
Total Schools
3.8:1
Student:Teacher
74.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Bentonville is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
12.7%
Black or African American
3.4%
Hispanic or Latino
10.7%
Native American
0.4%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.4%
Other
0.3%
Two or more races
13.6%
White
58.5%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
53.7%
High school graduate
18.8%
Less than high school
4.7%
Some college
22.9%

Religion

Christian
79.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
15.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bentonville, AR, US?

The cost of living index in Bentonville is 100, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bentonville?

The median home price in Bentonville is $380,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bentonville is approximately $1300/mo.

Does Bentonville, AR have income tax?

Bentonville is in AR, which has an income tax rate of 3.9%.

What is the climate like in Bentonville?

Bentonville enjoys approximately 215 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 91°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.