What it's like to live in Springdale
Springdale is a smaller city in Arkansas with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, unemployment below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Springdale deals with crime rates above the national average and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Low unemployment
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Crime above national average
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Springdale compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Springdale
Based on Springdale's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,142
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $42,840 a year
- 36% of Springdale renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$52,360
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $26,180
- Homes cost 3.8× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 24% below US
$1,071/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,071 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $261,800. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $261,800 · 36% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 26% below US
3.2% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.2%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 60% above US
527 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 1357/100k · Springdale Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 26% below US
19 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.3 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 8% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 87°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 29°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
2 hospitals
There are 2 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.0 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 33% below US
24% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 24%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
30 public schools inside the boundary
There are 30 public schools inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Pea Ridge National Military Park (19 miles away). There are 5 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Springdale's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are crime rates above the national average and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit. A year of median rent ($1,071/mo) equals 18% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget, job seekers, and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Springdale
All Arkansas guides →Moving to Fayetteville →
8 mi away · pop. 99,319
Rent $1,065/mo · Income $62,695
Compare with Springdale →Moving to Bentonville →
12 mi away · pop. 58,249
Rent $1,344/mo · Income $112,792
Compare with Springdale →Not sure Springdale is the one?
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