In the town of Bentonville Arkansas, a family can enjoy many amenities. The area is also safe and has a high quality of life. However, it can be expensive to live in Bentonville if you are not prepared for the cost of living.
Walmart’s chief people officer says job candidates are often surprised at how much the city has to offer. They rave about Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary music venue and more.
1. Taxes
As the home to Walmart and a hub for global business, why is bentonville arkansas so expensive attracts employees from across the country. This growth brings with it increased housing costs. Those costs have inspired a unique project that will offer low-cost homes for locals.
Local sales taxes increase the cost of purchasing goods and services, impacting pricing strategies and consumer demand. Exemptions, deductions, and sales tax holidays can modify how these rates apply to purchases.
Arkansas enforces both physical and economic nexus laws for sales tax liability, meaning that businesses with a physical presence in the state are required to collect and remit sales taxes. Additionally, the state has marketplace facilitator laws that require online retailers to remit sales tax on behalf of their customers. These laws make acquiring and managing a business in Bentonville challenging.
2. Transportation
The city of Bentonville offers a balance between affordable living costs compared to national averages and significant quality-of-life benefits. However, some categories have seen recent increases.
The average one-way commute time in Bentonville is notably shorter than the US average at 16.2 minutes. The area’s public transit system, Ozark Regional Transit, provides fixed-route and on-demand bus services.
The local transit service also offers non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for healthcare journeys. This service helps make preventive care more accessible for patients in need of screenings or vaccinations, and removes transportation barriers when consultations and treatments might be outside the patient’s immediate radius.
3. Education
With healthcare costs averaging 92.2% lower than the national average and groceries ringing in at 3.9% less, Bentonville is a budget-savvy paradise. However, there are still some expenses that can add up, especially when it comes to dining and a movie night or two.
That’s why Bentonville School District is partnering with Excellerate Foundation on a project that will help teachers afford housing close to the schools. District Superintendent Debbie Jones has cited multiple instances of teachers accepting jobs, only to turn them down because they couldn’t find affordable housing nearby. This is a project that could have major implications for educators across the nation. Its cost is only $20 million, and most of that comes from private funding. The city will also be donating land.
4. Healthcare
Residents of Bentonville rave about the area’s amenities and affordable housing. But they also say the city is getting too expensive. The cost of living is 7% higher than the national average. This includes everyday expenses like food and utilities. It also includes non-necessary costs like entertainment and grooming services.
Despite this, Bentonville is still a great place to live. Its water quality is a 77 out of 100 on Best Places to Live’s index, and its air quality is better than the US average. It also has a wealth of sources for wholesome food and miles of trails for biking, walking, and other forms of active leisure.
But Bentonville is also growing rapidly. And this has driven up home prices and increased demand for jobs in the city.
5. Food
The headquarters of Walmart and Sam’s Club are in Bentonville, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the city is also home to a great culinary scene. The town has a variety of restaurants that offer delicious food and impeccable customer service. For example, Bar Cleeta is a top-rated restaurant that serves delicious small plates and drinks. The restaurant also offers a variety of organic wine and cocktails.
Moreover, the city has an array of eateries that serve classic American cuisine. For instance, chicken fried steak, burgers, and Texas BBQ are available here. There are also several coffeehouses that serve freshly roasted and brewed coffee. One of them is the Onyx Coffee Lab. This sleek cafe offers a wide selection of espresso-based beverages.