Bentonville, Arkansas

Bentonville may be small in size, but it’s big in opportunities. This Arkansas city is the site of Walmart’s headquarters and nine of its brick-and-mortar locations, offering copious corporate, retail, and logistics jobs. Walmart is expanding its presence in the area with plans to open a 350-acre campus complete with a childcare facility and a network of bike paths. Many suppliers and vendors also have offices nearby; 1,300 of them have a presence in Northwest Arkansas, and most are within 30 miles of Bentonville, rounding out the area’s job market. 

It’s no surprise, then, that the once sleepy town has grown into a full-fledged city of more than 60,000. That’s nearly double the 36,000 who lived in the area in 2010, per the U.S. Census. Many restaurants, stores, and homes have popped up to accommodate the growth. While it’s all made the area more expensive, Bentonville still has a lower cost of living than many places in the U.S. Home prices were down 6.3% compared with last year as of May 2024, according to Redfin.

Despite its expansion, Bentonville has managed to retain small-town appeal with a quaint art museum scene and Bentonville Square, the downtown area that is still home to a five-and-dime. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art serves as the centerpiece of Bentonville’s art and culture offerings, while the Museum of Native American History provides a look at artifacts from diverse Indigenous cultures.

Surrounded by the stunning Ozark Mountains, Bentonville is also a mountain bikers’ dream. The Slaughter Pen Hollow Multiuse Trail System is a popular spot for mountain biking, hiking, and running. The Walton Family has funded both paved and natural trails in the region, such as the Razorback Greenway, which winds through Bentonville and six other cities in Northwest Arkansas.