How Much Does a House Cost in Northwest Arkansas?

By Todd Ring, Founder & Executive Broker, The Ring Team at Collier & Associates · October 2026

As of September 2026, the median home sold for $355,000 across Benton and Washington counties, according to NWA Look's September 2026 MLS data. City-level medians vary widely: on Redfin's figures for the three months ending September 2026, Springdale was most affordable at $354,126, and Bentonville was the priciest at $489,717.

Home prices by city

These city figures come from Redfin's housing-market data for the three months ending September 2026. Redfin uses a three-month window, so its medians differ from single-month MLS numbers — both are shown on this page, each labeled with its source and period.

Source: Redfin housing-market pages for each city, three months ending September 2026.

The county view

The NWA Look September 2026 market update, built from MLS data for the single month of September 2026, puts the combined two-county median sold price at $355,000, with 836 homes closed that month. By county, Benton County's median sold price was $363,600 and Washington County's was $350,000 (NWA Look, September 2026 MLS data). The combined median price per square foot was $208.01 for the month.

What this means for buyers

After 12+ years helping families buy and sell across Benton and Washington counties, here is how we read these numbers for our clients at The Ring Team at Collier & Associates. First, “Northwest Arkansas pricing” is really six different markets: there is a roughly $135,000 gap between the Bentonville and Springdale medians, so the city you choose changes what your budget buys more than almost anything else. Second, sellers are still getting close to asking price — Redfin's sale-to-list ratios for these cities run from 97.9% to 98.8% for the three months ending September 2026 — so plan on paying near list on a well-priced home, while homes that have been sitting, like many in Centerton at a 79-day median, may leave more room to negotiate. Third, compare price per square foot, not just the headline price: it ranges from $198 in Springdale to $227 in Bentonville on the same Redfin figures.

Comparing the biggest cities head to head? Read our Bentonville vs. Rogers vs. Fayetteville comparison. Wondering about timing as a seller? See how long it takes to sell a home in Northwest Arkansas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest city to buy a home in Northwest Arkansas?

Springdale is the most affordable of the six cities tracked here, with a median sale price of $354,126 and a median price of $198 per square foot (Redfin, three months ending September 2026). Fayetteville is the next most affordable large city at a $404,807 median, while Centerton ($385,292) and Bella Vista ($370,274) sit between Springdale and Fayetteville on median price.

How much do I need to earn to buy a median-priced home in Northwest Arkansas?

That depends on your down payment, credit, and current interest rates, so there is no single honest number. What we can tell you is the target: the combined median sold price in Benton and Washington counties was $355,000 in September 2026 (NWA Look, September 2026 MLS data). The most useful first step is a conversation about your price range, which we are happy to have with no obligation.

Are home prices going up or down in Northwest Arkansas?

It depends on the city. On Redfin's three-month figures ending September 2026, Rogers prices rose 8.8% year over year and Fayetteville's rose 5.8%, while Bentonville was essentially flat (-0.06%). Looking at a single month of MLS data instead, NWA Look reports the combined two-county median sold price of $355,000 was down 4.0% from September 2025. Both views are labeled with their source and period because the timeframes differ.

Sources: Redfin housing-market pages for Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, Springdale, Bella Vista, and Centerton, Arkansas (data for the three months ending September 2026, retrieved October 2026). NWA Look, September 2026 Northwest Arkansas Market Update (MLS data for September 2026). Figures are medians for the periods stated; your home's value depends on its specific features and location.