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Home » 55+ » The Best Places to Retire in Arkansas

The Best Places to Retire in Arkansas

arkansas-sunset

If you’re looking for a truly scenic state to retire in, consider Arkansas. With its mountains, caverns and forests, Arkansas is a treasure trove of natural beauty. The state offers a number of easygoing communities with no shortage of activities and good food — plus you can enjoy the famed Hot Springs National Park, known for its 47 natural hot springs. An added bonus, there are plenty of affordable cities in Arkansas!

Ready to call the Natural State your retirement home? NewHomeSource has compiled a list of the top 10 best cities to retire in Arkansas. 

 Top 10 Cities to Retire in Arkansas

Skip Ahead
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Arkansas
10 Healthiest Cities in Arkansas
Best Tiny Home Builders in Arkansas
The Top 10 State Parks in Arkansas
Best Places to Live in Arkansas
How to Build a House in Arkansas
The Most Affordable Cities in Arkansas
20 Most Affordable States
Guide to Arkansas Closing Costs
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Arkansas
Top 10 Safest Cities in Arkansas

1. Forrest City

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.9%

Median Home Value: $65,100

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 129

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 668

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1

Retire in a land of history and nature in Forrest City. Located about midway between Memphis and Little Rock, the city is just a short drive from Village Creek State Park, which offers 7,000 square miles of woodlands and lakes. With a local history museum, a farmers market and plenty of community events, there’s always something new to learn here.

2. Helena

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.4%

Median Home Value: $73,400

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 187

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 578

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Helena is a charming city located near the Mississippi River. Folks can enjoy walking and shopping along the historic downtown Cherry Street, learning cultural history at the Delta Cultural Center or catching the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival. The community has an easygoing, small-town hospitality, and you’re sure to be welcomed here.

3. Pine Bluff

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.8%

Median Home Value: $75,500

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 644

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,394

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1

Nature lovers, rejoice! Pine Bluff is your gateway to a world of outdoor adventures. With Lake Saracen just north of downtown and Bayou Bartholomew and the Arkansas River nearby, the state’s natural beauty is right in your backyard. If you’d prefer quieter days indoors, you can check out the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, which honors those who have made contributions to the Arkansas cultural scene.

4. Camden

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.3%

Median Home Value: $77,000

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 113

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 373

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1

Civil War buffs will love Camden. Whether you’re checking out an old Union headquarters or the historical site of the Battle of Poison Spring, you’ll be stepping back in time and learning something new. Built along the Ouachita River, Camden invites you to spend warm summer days along the shore.

5. Hope

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.8%

Median Home Value: $77,900

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 70

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 392

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1

Best known as the birthplace of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hope also is popular for its annual Watermelon Festival, where some of the world’s largest watermelons are on display. With a population of just under 10,000 residents, folks can enjoy a small-town atmosphere and peaceful lifestyle while walking through the park, visiting the local museum and shopping.

6. Blytheville

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.2%

Median Home Value: $79,400

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 109

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 629

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Blytheville is a little city that offers retirees a quiet, relaxing place to call home. Downtown has plenty of historical buildings and parks, which make for perfect backdrops as you take an early morning stroll. The Delta Gateway Museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits on the Arkansas Delta, so there’s always something new to see. End your day by catching a movie at the Ritz Theater, which dates to the early 1900s.

7. West Memphis

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.5%

Median Home Value: $86,800

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 485

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,225

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 8

Located across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, West Memphis offers an appealing small-town lifestyle but still close to big-city amenities. But you can find plenty of entertainment right here from a casino to the Meadowbrook Country Club. A fan of cycling? West Memphis has its own bike share program and no shortage of bike trails to explore.

8. El Dorado

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.2%

Median Home Value: $88,600

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 239

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 996

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1

Everything’s golden in El Dorado! The city is known for live music festivals and historical reenactments, making it a lively place to call home. Beyond the festivals, downtown El Dorado offers historical backdrops everywhere you look, and you can eat and shop to your heart’s content. 

9. Malvern

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.6%

Median Home Value: $93,200

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 47

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 379

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 5

Malvern is the perfect home for those with an outdoorsy, adventurous disposition. The Ouachita River Whitewater Park crosses through the city, and as the name implies, there’s no shortage of whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities. For those seeking quieter afternoons, Malvern offers plenty of peaceful activities, ranging from the county museum to the city park.

10. Magnolia

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17%

Median Home Value: $96,100

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 14

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 318

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Named after the trees that line its downtown square, Magnolia is a charming town that contains all the necessities you could need in retirement. Magnolia is home to multiple parks, the South Arkansas Heritage Museum and no shortage of shops and restaurants to explore. Every May, Magnolia holds the Magnolia Blossom Festival, which features the world’s largest charcoal grill and the World Championship Steak Cook-off.

City Name People Over 65 Violent Crimes Property Crimes Access to Doctors Median Home Price
Apache Junction 33.00% 95.00 650.00 16 $105,600
Phoenix 10.60% 11,803.00 55,974.00 32 $235,400
Tucson 14.30% 3,808.00 18,651.00 8 $155,300
Mesa 16.40% 1,953.00 9,683.00 31 $226,500
Chandler 11.00% 593.00 5,382.00 27 $300,800
Glendale 11.70% 863.00 8,083.00 27 $214,700
Scottsdale 24.30% 415.00 5,099.00 32 $475,300
Gilbert 9.40% 245.00 3,050.00 29 $328,700
Tempe 10.20% 938.00 8,159.00 32 $272,900
Peoria 16.90% 407.00 3,273.00 25 $264,500
Surprise 22.60% 138.00 2,083.00 19 $239,500
Yuma 15.20% 376.00 2,313.00 1 $143,400
Avondale 8.40% 251.00 3,095.00 20 $215,100
Flagstaff 8.40% 380.00 2,604.00 1 $351,600
Goodyear 15.90% 172.00 2,045.00 18 $290,800
Lake Havasu City 33.10% 93.00 674.00 1 $248,200
Buckeye 11.80% 107.00 1,265.00 6 $222,700
Casa Grande 20.00% 274.00 1,338.00 1 $150,400
Sierra Vista 19.20% 116.00 987.00 1 $172,600
Maricopa 13.10% 85.00 606.00 5 $202,100
Oro Valley 33.90% 22.00 588.00 7 $311,800
Prescott 37.30% 216.00 704.00 1 $347,700
Bullhead City 29.40% 134.00 1,354.00 2 $140,300
Prescott Valley 25.60% 95.00 495.00 2 $228,700
Marana 20.30% 35.00 1,132.00 6 $252,100
El Mirage 9.10% 84.00 982.00 21 $160,800
Kingman 23.80% 104.00 1,344.00 1 $152,900
Queen Creek 9.80% 110.00 361.00 14 $348,600
Florence 16.70% 44.00 75.00 2 $153,500
San Luis 7.60% 33.00 420.00 1 $117,400
Sahuarita 22.10% 43.00 345.00 6 $214,100
Fountain Hills 38.00% 72.00 230.00 27 $402,100
Nogales 16.90% 41.00 608.00 0 $119,700
Douglas 10.90% 36.00 286.00 0 $100,300
Eloy 10.80% 78.00 325.00 1 $100,100
Payson 37.10% 281.00 396.00 0 $236,300
Somerton 7.40% 36.00 129.00 1 $127,000
Paradise Valley 26.90% 10.00 161.00 34 $1,516,200
Coolidge 11.80% 70.00 393.00 2 $113,100
Cottonwood 27.60% 46.00 427.00 1 $189,400
Camp Verde 21.20% 46.00 270.00 1 $193,100
Chino Valley 25.80% 38.00 160.00 2 $229,100
Show Low 23.50% 100.00 375.00 1 $170,800
Sedona 42.60% 16.00 113.00 1 $507,400
City Name People Over 65 Violent Crimes Property Crimes Access to Doctors Median Home Price

Other Arkansas Resources

10 Healthiest Cities in Arkansas

Best Tiny Home Builders in Arkansas

The Top 10 State Parks in Arkansas

Best Places to Live in Arkansas

How to Build a House in Arkansas

The Most Affordable Cities in Arkansas

20 Most Affordable States

Guide to Arkansas Closing Costs

First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Arkansas

Top 10 Safest Cities in Arkansas

sarah-scott-photo
Sarah Scott

Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.

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