Bentonville, AR


13 Reviews



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Bentonville, AR

About Bentonville, AR

Bentonville, Arkansas is a unique city where Southern charm meets modern innovation. From its stunning mountain views to its thriving business community, Bentonville offers something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore its natural wonders, while families with children can take advantage of its excellent school system. Its vibrant downtown district features a variety of shops and restaurants, making it the perfect spot for a day trip or weekend adventure. From its historical roots to its cutting edge culture, Bentonville has everything you need for an unforgettable experience in the heart of Arkansas! Small-city complex/College town - Extreme northwest Arkansas in Ozark foothills.

State: Arkansas
County: Benton County
Metro Area: Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metro Area
City: Bentonville
Zip Codes: 72712
Cost of Living:
Time zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Elevation: 1263 ft above sea level

The so-called Northwest Arkansas region is one of the fastest growing in the country, and the three named cities, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville, plus the elephant- in-the-room Bentonville represent an interesting mix of small cities that all work together and all offer something. The three names cities are located in a north-south line roughly 10 miles apart, while Bentonville lies five miles west of Rogers.

Each of these towns brings something different to the area, and the mix works well. Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas and has an attractive campus, historic buildings, a progressive feel and the usual college-town amenities. Springfield is more “old South” as a center of light manufacturing, trucking and agricultural processing, anchored by the headquarters and major operations of poultry processor Tyson. Rogers was once a sleepy non-descript Southern town but has boomed as a hot family-oriented residential area, One of the reasons why is Bentonville, and for those whom the name isn’t familiar, it is the headquarters for retail giant Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart earns superlatives all over the country, but no single employer wields the economic influence that Wal-Mart has in Bentonville and the surrounding area. The headquarters employs some 13,000, and that is not the whole story, as scores of other companies supplying everything from product to marketing to legal services make the area their home. And there’s a steady stream of business travelers calling on the nation’s #1 retailer as well.

All of this leads to a booming economy and plenty of air service. The founding Walton family and the Jones family of trucking industry lineage have left a strong cultural imprint on the area as well. The Walton family has endowed a large performing arts center and a $50-million Walton family-supported art museum is scheduled to open in 2009. The Jones family has endowed the Jones Center for Families among other assets.

There are plenty of water and outdoor recreation opportunities in nearby lakes and mountain areas, but some might feel a bit isolated from other “city” activities (the closest big city is Kansas City 175 miles north). Living costs are low and substantial employment and income growth bring strong buying power. Crime rates are notably low for the region.

The area contains a mix of farmland, nearby lakes, and rolling, wooded hills. Climate is continental and typical of the region, with a strong Gulf influence particularly in summer. However, the elevation and nearby mountains keep temperatures a few degrees cooler than many other parts of the state. Winters are generally mild, with occasional cold spells.

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Bentonville Cost of Living

Strong economy, variety, and cost of living make Bentonville a great place to live.

$403,300
+16.2% higher than avg
$89,653
+23.0% higher than avg
7.3 / 6.1
Comfort Index
summer/winter
Bentonville Crime
26.8 / 100
Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low) to 100 (high). US average: 35.4
Minimum annual income
To live comfortably in Bentonville, Arkansas
$77,400
for a family
$34,400
for a single person
Pros & Cons of Bentonville
   Strong economy
Isolation
   Variety
Growth and sprawl
   Cost of living
Hot, humid summers
Reviews for Bentonville
    See all (13)

Over 1 years ago
I've lived in Bentonville for 5 1/2 years and think it's a great city for families. There are tons of activities for kids and everything seems to be geared to young  More
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Nice people but there is no consumer protection. Be careful renting or spending on high ticket items.  More
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Mindy · 
People are friendly when out and about for the most part. Lots of people from India and CA are moving here. Walmart owns and controls EVERYTHING from the police  More
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