Fayetteville has once again topped the list of SEC cities in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live rankings.
The rankings evaluate more than 850 communities nationwide based on quality of life, value, desirability and job market. Fayetteville ranked No. 131 nationally, placing ahead of SEC cities including Nashville, Tennessee; Athens, Georgia; Knoxville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; Columbia, South Carolina; Auburn, Alabama; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Oxford, Mississippi; Starkville, Mississippi; and College Station, Texas.
“The best tourism destinations are places where people genuinely want to live,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Experience Fayetteville. “When visitors come to Fayetteville, they’re experiencing a city that is growing, investing in itself and creating the kind of quality of life people are actively searching for. Whether it’s our outdoor recreation, local food scene, arts and culture, or Razorback spirit, people can feel that energy the moment they arrive.”
The recognition comes as northwest Arkansas continues to gain national attention for its economic growth and quality of life, according to a press release from Experience Fayetteville. Earlier this year, the Milken Institute named the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro the No. 1 Best-Performing Large Metro Area in the United States, citing strong job growth, a growing technology sector, wage gains and housing affordability.
The recognition adds to a growing list of national accolades tied to both Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas.
Bud Walton Arena, home of Razorback basketball, was recently named one of the nation’s top 15 toughest college basketball arenas to play at, recognized for its passionate fan base and electric game-day atmosphere, and Baum-Walker Stadium, home of Razorback baseball, has been nominated for USA TODAY‘s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for best college baseball stadium.
“Fayetteville offers something truly unique within the SEC,” said Elvis Moya, chair of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotions Commission and associate athletics director for community outreach and fan engagement for Razorback Athletics. “We have the traditions and excitement of a major university town, but we also have world-class outdoor recreation, a thriving local business community, a vibrant arts scene and an exceptional quality of life. These recognitions validate what residents already know and what more visitors are discovering every year.”
The city’s combination of SEC athletics, the University of Arkansas, a nationally recognized trail network, a vibrant food and entertainment scene and a walkable downtown continues to attract new residents, visitors and businesses alike, the release stated.
“Whether someone is visiting for a Razorback game, a cycling event, live music or simply a weekend getaway, they’re experiencing the same qualities that make Fayetteville one of the best places to live in America,” Hauck said. “That connection between quality of life and quality of experience is one of Fayetteville‘s greatest strengths.”
Photo Credit: iStock/bjray1
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