Arkansas’s Rising Affluence: The State’s Most Expensive ZIP Codes

Arkansas, the long-loved state with natural beauty and warm Southern charm, has transformed itself quite significantly in the last few decades. This is no longer considered primarily a rural state. Rather, it has now emerged as a hot hub for all the major corporate entities of the world like Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt, and Dillard's. With businesses emerging, comes a whole lot of prosperity mainly around headquarters of such organizations. Inevitably, the booming economy has dramatically altered the face of real estate within this state.

With new data from Zillow, the state has multiple ZIP codes whose home values have surpassed the levels found in the historically richer regions. With high incomes and businesses driving up activity in these places, the recent uptrend in home prices has completely reoriented the socio-economic map of Arkansas.

Among them, at the very top of the list, is ZIP code 72718, with Cave Springs as its centerpiece. This area is settled within the fast-growing corridor of Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville and becomes a hub for corporate executives and professionals. Over the last five years, the median home value in this ZIP code has appreciated by 67.6% to reach $520,565 in November 2024. Residents here enjoy a level of affluence that sets the tone for the region, with a median household income of $141,404 and an average household income of $162,939.

In a distant second place is the ZIP code 72712 covering Bentonville, home of Walmart's world headquarters. Even more dramatically than that aforementioned area, the value of homes here increased by an astonishing 84.2% in five years alone. The median home here was $255,649 in 2019 but has skyrocketed to near $471,000. Compared to most other markets around the country where housing has proven to be an affordability headache, Bentonville residents comfortably can afford the high price. With a mean household income of $155,757, the average home value remains well within the manageable three times average income range.

Coming in third is the Western Little Rock area represented by ZIP code 72223. The region is marked by high-end communities and close proximity to cultural icons such as Wildwood Park for the Arts, thus maintaining a relatively balanced rate of appreciation of home values. Over five years, median home values have risen by 32.5%, reaching $459,548 in November 2024. While the median household income here stands at $99,063, the average income is significantly higher at $162,727, indicating a diverse range of economic prosperity among its residents.

The fourth spot on the list goes to ZIP code 72713, another area covering parts of Bentonville. This area has experienced an impressive 71.3% appreciation in home values over the last five years, and the median value increased from $266,874 in 2019 to $457,216 in 2024. The sudden rise did not pose a problem since the strong local economy is strong enough to allow most of the people to cope with it. The median household income of $117,752 and the average income of $146,537 demonstrate the economic power of the area's population.

Lastly, rounding out the top five is Garfield's ZIP code 72732, which owes much of its allure to the picturesque Beaver Lake. While incomes in this area lag behind those in the other top ZIP codes, with a median household income of $68,548 and an average income of $98,023, home values have surged by an impressive 80.8%. The median home value is up from $227,541 in 2019 to over $411,000 in 2024, and this reflects the increasing desire for homes in scenic and recreationally rich locations.

The rapid appreciation of home values across these ZIP codes mirrors trends seen throughout the U.S. South, where favorable economic conditions and an influx of residents have driven up demand. However, Arkansas’s relatively low cost of living and higher-than-average incomes in these regions make it an exception to the affordability crises plaguing other high-growth areas.

These luxury ZIP codes will also continue to evolve as long as they will be reminders that Arkansas is capable of beating the other more traditionally rich states in terms of wealth and prosperity. It is the confluence of corporate influence, cultural attractions, and natural beauty that makes these high-priced ZIP codes not just redefine luxury living but even set a new benchmark for economic growth in the region.