Moving to Bentonville for a new role and need fast clarity on housing? You are not alone. Professionals relocating for Walmart, startups, or vendor teams often have weeks to decide where to live and how far to commute. This quick guide gives you current price signals, neighborhood starting points, commute expectations, and rent-versus-buy tips so you can narrow choices with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Market snapshot
Bentonville sits at the higher end of Northwest Arkansas pricing. Recent figures show the Zillow Home Value Index around $480,000, a Redfin city median sale near $443,000, and a Realtor.com median listing near $550,000. These compare different things, which is why the numbers differ.
Here is how to read them in plain terms:
- Zillow’s index is a smoothed model that shows trend and typical value.
- Redfin’s median sale is what closed in a recent month, so it reflects deals that actually happened.
- Realtor.com’s median listing is what sellers are asking right now, which can skew higher in premium pockets.
If you want both trend and right-now context, use the closed-sale median for recent deal levels, the listing median for current asks, and the Zillow index for direction. Regionally, average single-family prices across Benton County were about $471,000 in early 2025, and new construction represents a large share of transactions across NWA according to Arvest’s Skyline analysis. You will also see strong new multifamily deliveries alongside still-tight vacancy. For regional context on prices and supply, see the latest Skyline coverage from Talk Business & Politics (Arvest). (source)
Where to focus first
Downtown and Market District
You get walkability to the Square, Crystal Bridges, the Momentary, and the Home Office. Product types include renovated historic homes, luxury infill single-family, townhomes, and a few condo and boutique rental options. Expect premium pricing. Realtor.com reported a downtown median listing around $1.035 million, which is the highest in the city.
SE Bentonville and Home Office corridor
Close to SE 8th Street, Walton Boulevard, and the Market District, you will find older single-family homes, townhomes, new apartments, and some newer single-family neighborhoods a short drive out. The Razorback Greenway and bike lanes make short non-car commutes possible. Prices vary by street and pocket. The 72712 zip typically lists higher than 72713, though both show a wide spread by neighborhood.
West and North Bentonville, Centerton, and Bella Vista
If you want newer homes or more space with a manageable drive, look west and north. You will see large subdivisions, active new-build phases, and amenity-rich communities. Realtor.com county snapshots place Bella Vista medians around $410,000 and Centerton around $441,000, both below premium downtown pricing. Many relocating professionals trade a 10 to 30 minute commute for value in these areas.
Rogers and Lowell
Rogers borders Bentonville to the south and east and offers broad suburban inventory. It is a common pick for price and proximity balance. Typical local indices show Rogers lower than Bentonville on average, while some newer pockets list higher. Commutes to central Bentonville often run 10 to 20 minutes outside peak snarls.
Fayetteville and Springdale
Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas, has diverse neighborhoods and a strong culture scene. Listing medians often land in the upper 300s to low 400s depending on pocket. Springdale typically posts the most value-oriented medians in the core NWA cities, often in the low to mid 300s. Commutes to Bentonville run longer from Fayetteville and moderate from Springdale.
Housing near major employers
Walkable to the Home Office
Expect small-lot single-family, high-end new construction, renovated historic homes, townhomes, and limited condo options. Rentals exist but often price at a premium due to demand from corporate transferees and vendor teams.
Within 3 to 10 miles
You will find abundant new single-family subdivisions, active townhouse and condo projects, and several mid-rise apartment communities. Regional reporting shows strong new multifamily permitting and deliveries in 2024 and 2025, though many submarkets still run low vacancy. (Skyline context)
Space and price tradeoffs
Many professionals choose Centerton, Bella Vista, Gravette, or parts of Rogers for newer homes, larger lots, or lower price per square foot. This usually means a 10 to 30 minute drive depending on route and time of day.
Commute expectations
The mean travel-to-work time for Bentonville residents is about 19.2 minutes based on the latest American Community Survey. (U.S. Census QuickFacts)
For intercity driving in typical conditions:
- Bentonville to Rogers is usually 10 to 20 minutes. (routing reference)
- Bentonville to Springdale is often 15 to 30 minutes.
- Bentonville to Fayetteville is usually 25 to 40 minutes via I-49.
Infrastructure matters. The I-49 corridor and the Bella Vista Bypass improved north-south flow, and local projects like SE 8th Street and Gateway Park continue to reshape routes. Expect periodic construction impacts during active work. For a broader look at how roads influence housing patterns, see this NWA infrastructure overview. (regional perspective)
Active transportation is a real option if you live near downtown or the Market District. The 40-mile Razorback Regional Greenway and local protected lanes support bike commutes for short distances. (trail guide)
For current project updates and road work advisories, check the city’s notices. (City of Bentonville alerts)
How Bentonville compares
- Price level: Bentonville’s median listing near $550,000 sits at the top of the core NWA cities. Closed-sale medians and modeled indices are lower but still generally above Rogers, Fayetteville, and Springdale.
- Rogers: often lower average pricing than Bentonville with short commutes and broad suburban choices.
- Fayetteville: university-anchored market with mid to upper 300s typical listing bands depending on the neighborhood, with a longer commute into Bentonville.
- Springdale: commonly the value leader in core NWA city comparisons, with many neighborhoods in the low to mid 300s.
Large-employer dynamics also matter. Walmart’s campus strategy continues to concentrate roles in Bentonville, which supports demand near the Home Office and downtown infill. (context)
Practical next steps
- Set a target band. Use Bentonville’s recent signals as bookends. If your cap is near the mid 400s, broaden to west and north Bentonville, Centerton, and Rogers. If you want walkable downtown, expect a higher budget.
- Choose a commute threshold. If 10 to 20 minutes is your max, focus on Rogers, close-in 72712, and select pockets in 72713. If 20 to 35 minutes is fine, add Centerton, Bella Vista, and Gravette to the list.
- Decide on new build versus character. NWA has a high share of new construction, which can reduce near-term maintenance. The Skyline report notes robust new-home and multifamily delivery across 2024 and 2025. (regional context)
- Consider renting first. Many transferees rent for 3 to 12 months to learn commute patterns and neighborhoods, then buy with confidence. Downtown and near-downtown rentals command premiums, while wider options exist a short drive out.
- Test-drive your commute. Run live routing apps for AM and PM on the exact route you plan to take. Check for construction updates, especially along SE 8th Street and I-49 connectors. (city updates)
Ready to compare neighborhoods, builders, and commute tradeoffs with local precision? Reach out to schedule a quick consult and get listings tailored to your brief from a data-first, hyperlocal advisor. Connect with Aaron Ork to get started.
FAQs
What are typical home prices in Bentonville right now?
- Recent metrics show a Zillow index near $480,000, a Redfin median sale near $443,000, and a Realtor.com median listing near $550,000, reflecting different ways of measuring price.
How expensive is downtown Bentonville compared with other areas?
- Downtown and the Market District are the city’s premium pocket, with a reported median listing around $1.035 million, which is well above citywide medians.
Are rentals hard to find in Bentonville?
- Regional reporting shows strong new multifamily deliveries and still-low vacancy in many submarkets, so you will find options, but downtown and walkable areas often price at a premium.
How long is the average Bentonville commute?
- The mean commute time is about 19.2 minutes per the U.S. Census, with intercity drives typically 10 to 20 minutes to Rogers, 15 to 30 to Springdale, and 25 to 40 to Fayetteville.
Which nearby cities offer more value with a short commute?
- Rogers, Centerton, and Bella Vista often deliver newer homes or larger lots at lower prices than downtown Bentonville while keeping commutes in the 10 to 30 minute range.
