The Arkansas rental market
Arkansas tracks median rent across 34 cities, ranging from Russellville at $895/mo to Bella Vista at $1,939/mo. The state average of $1,339/mo runs about 31% below the national median of $1,932/mo.
Across Arkansas cities, rents are rising, changing an average of +2.6% over the past year. 1 of 38 tracked cities are priced above the national median, while 37 fall below it. The largest rental markets are Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith.
What the numbers show
Rent fell in 1 of 34 Arkansas cities Zillow tracks over the year to September 2026, and rose in the rest.
9 cities are at the highest rent in at least three years of Zillow records. See the list.
Among cities with 15,000+ residents, Bella Vista ($1,939/mo) costs 2.2 times as much as Russellville ($895/mo).
Across 10 Arkansas cities with five or more years of data, asking rents usually bottom out in January and peak in July, a typical swing of 1.2%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent grew faster than median household income in 7 of 8 Arkansas cities with both figures. See where the gap is widest.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Arkansas cities, as of September 2026. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates).
Arkansas rent questions
What is the average rent in Arkansas?
The average median rent across 34 tracked cities in Arkansas is $1,339/mo, about 31% below the national median of $1,932/mo.
Which Arkansas city has the highest rent?
Bella Vista has the highest median rent in Arkansas at $1,939/mo.
Which Arkansas city has the most affordable rent?
Russellville is the most affordable tracked city in Arkansas, with a median rent of $895/mo.
Are rents rising or falling in Arkansas?
Across Arkansas cities, median rents are rising, changing an average of +2.6% over the past year.
How does Arkansas rent compare to the rest of the country?
1 of 38 tracked Arkansas cities have a median rent above the national median of $1,932/mo, and 37 fall below it.
What are the largest rental markets in Arkansas?
By population, the largest rental markets in Arkansas are Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith. Each has its own rent data, trends, and ZIP-level breakdowns on RentDataNow.