Job growth and housing affordability remain top drivers of economic performance in the rankings

January 27, 2026 (Los Angeles, CA)—Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR is named the best-performing large metropolitan area, according to the 2026 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities (BPC) report, after consistently placing in the top 15 large cities every year since 2021. Among small cities, St. George, UT tops the index after finishing as the runner-up in last year’s rankings. Strong labor markets—characterized by remarkably steady growth—and growing high-tech sectors lifted both metro areas ahead of their peers to earn this distinction.

Published annually since 1999, the Best-Performing Cities index reflects cities’ effectiveness at leveraging their resources to promote economic growth and provide their residents with access to essential services and infrastructure. The index provides an impartial, holistic benchmark to evaluate US metropolitan areas based on job creation, wage growth, and the high-tech sector’s output growth, in addition to measures of access to economic opportunities, such as housing affordability and community resilience.

The 2026 index and rankings are primarily based on data from 2024 with short-term job growth measured from July 2024 to July 2025. In 2024, US real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.8 percent. Despite this growth, cooling national labor market conditions have affected employment across the US. One-year and five-year job growth was slower compared to previous years' data, and the cost of living has increased across all metrics. With slowing employment growth and rising unemployment rates, affordability emerged as a key issue for US cities.

“Through our annual analysis, we track national and regional trends over time to identify policy choices and investments that most effectively strengthen economic opportunities for residents of a metropolitan area,” said Maggie Switek, PhD, senior director of research at the Milken Institute. “We hope that the index equips policymakers and local business leaders with evidence-based insights to guide long-term, equitable decisions that benefit all residents.”

Metro areas with the largest gains in ranking showed strong labor market performance. Although most metro areas (307 of 411) added jobs in 2024, this growth was concentrated in traditionally lower-paying sectors, such as education and health services, and construction. Within the same period, the three highest-paying industries (information, professional and business services, and financial activities) all lost jobs.

To attain the top ranking for large metropolitan areas, the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers metro area ranked 13th or higher in every labor market performance metric, making it one of the strongest labor markets in the nation. Additionally, the greater Fayetteville region excelled at providing affordable housing for its residents, ranking 15th among large cities in affordability. The metro area’s housing affordability has benefited from a booming construction sector, whose employment grew by almost 10 percent in 2024.

“In Fayetteville, we are intentional about investing in what makes our city thrive. We are focused on infrastructure, public services, vibrant public spaces, and innovative business development. This recognition highlights a community that believes in strategic investment, data-informed planning for growth, and opportunity for all, while contributing to the strength of Northwest Arkansas as a whole. We’re proud of the progress happening across our city and energized by what comes next,” said Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn.

Over the last five years, St. George, UT has recorded the fastest high-tech expansion of all small metro areas, with a real GDP growth of 106.3 percent helping lead it to the top spot for small metropolitan areas. Job growth has been primarily driven by the expansion of the education and health services sector, which accounts for 17.1 percent of total employment in the metro area.

“Being ranked the number one small city in America confirms what we have long known in St. George. With more than 300 days of sunshine, a strong pro-business environment, and access to world-class outdoor amenities, our community offers an unmatched quality of life and opportunity,” said St. George Mayor Jimmie Hughes. “Built on a pioneer spirit that values hard work and innovation, St. George is proud to be recognized by respected institutions like the Milken Institute as a place where businesses and people can thrive.”

“Though their scale and geography differ, the greater Fayetteville metro area and St. George illustrate that a balanced approach to growth drives economic performance,” said Switek. “The cooling labor market conditions and rising costs across the US highlight the critical importance of affordability for metropolitan residents. This year’s rankings emphasize how thoughtful, inclusive policies and economic prosperity reinforce each other across diverse metro areas.”

The index uses data from the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis to measure the economic performance of 206 large cities (defined as a population higher than 275,000) and 205 small cities. The cities are ranked based on three primary performance factors: labor market conditions (job growth and wage growth); high-tech impact (technology output and concentration); and access to economic opportunities (housing affordability, inclusivity, and resilience).

Large and small cities are classified into five tiers based on their BPC index scores, with Tier 1 being the top-ranked cities and Tier 5 being the bottom-ranked cities. Twelve cities reached the Tier 1 threshold for large cities and 10 for small. For 2026, most Tier 1 large cities (8 out of 12) are in the Southern region of the US. Six out of 10 of the Tier 1 small cities are located in the Mountain Division. The Best-Performing Cities interactive map allows users to compare cities' performance relative to their peers, based on city size and ranking tier.

Large US Cities: Tier 1

Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, ARHuntsville, ALCharleston–North Charleston, SCBoise City, IDRaleigh–Cary, NCProvo–Orem–Lehi, UTSalt Lake City–Murray, UTOrlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLAustin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXOlympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WAWilmington, NCArlington–Alexandria–Reston, VA–WV

Small US Cities: Tier I

St. George, UTIdaho Falls, IDKenosha, WIBend, ORPocatello, IDHelena, MTCoeur d’Alene, IDLogan, UT–IDMidland, TXAuburn–Opelika, AL

Sam Roth [email protected]

The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit https://milkeninstitute.org/.

FAYETTEVILLE — Residential trash pickup will be postponed on Tuesday, with plans to start limited residential collection beginning Wednesday.

City offices will be closed Tuesday (Jan. 27) with nonessential employees working from home, according to a news release from the city. Public safety, street operations, utilities and shelter coordination will continue around the clock.

Plow teams will prioritize main roads, then intersections with heavy traffic, then neighborhoods, the release says, while minimizing snow pileup as they work.

Recycling and trash collections will make critical commercial dumpster pickups on Tuesday. The trash transfer station will be closed, and the utility billing counter at City Hall will be closed to in-person visits. However, residents will still be able to pay bills online.

The trash transfer station will reopen Wednesday, according to the release. Normal commercial trash collections also will resume.

Crews will start collecting residential trash on Wednesday, in addition to trash for households that usually have pickup on Mondays and Tuesdays. The city will continue to make trash pickups on Thursday and Friday, and if necessary, on Saturday as well.

Residents should put trash carts out at the curb and leave them there until crews can safely reach them, the release says. Households are asked to place the carts clear of large snow piles, parked cars, mailboxes and other obstacles.

Neither recycling nor yard waste will be picked up on Wednesday, according to the release. If road conditions allow, crews may be able to pick up some recycling and yard waste later this week. Otherwise, recycling pickup will have to wait until next week, the release says.

No more snow is anticipated, but the region is under an extreme cold warning, according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa. A low of 8 degrees is predicted overnight Monday into Tuesday. Tuesday will have a high around 32 degrees and will dip back down to 11 degrees overnight.

Wednesday’s high temperature is forecast to be 34 degrees, while Thursday’s high is 39 degrees. Highs are predicted to dip down below freezing to 25 degrees on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s high temperature is 34 degrees, and Monday’s is 43 degrees.

The city’s Collaborative Response to Extreme Weather (CREW) is still active. Genesis Church, Potter’s House and 7 Hills Homeless Center are working together to provide overnight sheltering and daytime warming options, according to the release.

Below are dates and times for cold weather shelter through Monday, Feb. 2. Genesis Church is located at 205 MLK Jr. Blvd., the former Jefferson Elementary is located at 612 S. College Ave. and the 7 Hills Day Center is located at 1832 S. School Ave.

Questions about check-ins and/or transportation can be directed to the Cold Weather Hotline at 479-259-2428. More information can be found at fayetteville-ar.gov/weatherready.

Monday, Jan. 266 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Genesis Church/7 Hills

Tuesday, Jan. 276 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Former Jefferson Elementary (breakfast provided)5 p.m.: Check-in at Jefferson Elementary for overnight shelter6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Genesis Church/7 Hills

Wednesday, Jan. 286 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Jefferson Elementary (breakfast provided)*No overnight CREW shelter

Thursday, Jan. 29*No overnight CREW shelterThe 7 Hills Day Center and Jefferson Elementary will both be closed to reset.

Friday, Jan. 306 a.m. to 2 p.m. 7 Hills Day Center will reopen5 p.m.: Check-in at Jefferson Elementary for overnight shelter6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Genesis Church/7 Hills

Saturday, Jan. 316 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Jefferson Elementary (breakfast and lunch provided)5 p.m.: Check-in at Jefferson Elementary for overnight shelter6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Genesis Church/7 Hills

Sunday, Feb. 16 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Jefferson Elementary (breakfast provided)5 p.m.: Check-in at Jefferson Elementary for overnight shelter6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Genesis Church/7 Hills

Monday, Feb. 26 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Jefferson Elementary (breakfast provided)CREW response ends

Stacy Ryburn

Stacy Ryburn is a longtime Fayetteville resident and veteran reporter for the Fayetteville Flyer. He can be reached at [email protected]. More by Stacy Ryburn

• Arkansas has had the highest food insecurity rate in the nation for three years in a row, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• In the town of Fayetteville, food security efforts have spanned the private and public sectors for many years. At the heart of the work is the community’s approach to nutrition education for youth, including growing food.

• Leading the charge: Apple Seeds, a nonprofit teaching farm, and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, in collaboration with Fayetteville’s public school district.

• Federal budget cuts for programs like SNAP-Ed and the Farm to School Program have impacted this work, but most of Fayetteville’s efforts will continue regardless.

“Being only half-time and having 17 schools, it’s just not feasible for me to maintain all of the spaces,” Jordan said. “Maintenance is what I’m most worried about. I think if these spaces don’t look beautiful, they’ll just be mowed over.”

Working from its one teaching farm location in Fayetteville, Apple Seeds partners with 74 schools throughout western and central Arkansas, and its curriculum is integrated into the daily schedule for K-5 students at 36 of those schools.

“In kindergarten, they pull a carrot out of the ground and start to formulate the concept of where food comes from,” Thompson said. “At first, we’re building a fun experience with a vegetable. Then we layer in cooking skills as they get older. By the time they finish elementary school, they know how to prepare vegetables for breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner.”

In other words, students learn how to harvest, wash, and cut that carrot before eventually baking it into carrot muffins or another Apple Seeds recipe. The hands-on group fun transforms tasks from dreaded chores into pleasant experiences kids can look forward to recreating at home.

Outside the K-5 curriculum, Apple Seeds also offers summer camps and workshops at its farm to teach real-world agricultural and culinary skills to teenagers. Programs focus on growing and cooking fresh produce, in the belief that understanding and enjoying the farm-to-table process is one step toward greater food sovereignty.

AHRA food banks provide ingredients while culinary and nutrition education programs teach kids how to prepare healthy meals for themselves and their families. Food access and education, however, aren’t always enough to inspire healthy eating habits. Nothing changes unless a kid wants to taste those foods.

“I think one of the biggest things we’re doing is trying to change the mindset of kids from ‘Ooh, vegetables are gross’ to ‘Wow, I like vegetables, and cooking them is really fun,’” Thompson said.

Only 3.6 percent of Arkansas kids eat the daily recommended servings of vegetables—about 1.5 to 3 cups depending on factors like age and gender—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Apple Seeds measures the impact of its programs and shares the results publicly in its annual Impact Report. All students are surveyed before and after the program, with images of vegetables and the question: If this were on your plate, would you eat it?

“It takes five to seven points of interaction with a new vegetable to start to shift the mindset of a kid around what they think of that vegetable,” Thompson explained.

“It takes five to seven points of interaction with a new vegetable to start to shift the mindset of a kid around what they think of that vegetable.”

This year, there was a 91 percent increase in the number of kids willing to eat turnips after participating in an Apple Seeds program, Thompson said. And roughly three-quarters of participating students are willing to eat leafy greens—compared to less than 30 percent of American adults.

Also this year, Apple Seeds saw increases in kids’ willingness to try the vegetables used in the program, their retention of nutrition information, and behavioral changes such as cooking at home or using a nutrition label to make a decision, Thompson said.

Apple Seeds grows produce year-round using organic farming practices, and its staff select crops for educational and nutritional purposes, not commercial value. Two examples: sweet peppers and cherry tomatoes, which kids can harvest without a sharp knife.

Apple Seeds also increases food access through donations of “produce bundles.” In 2024, the farm supplied students with 16,854 of these bags of fresh vegetables.

“Whatever we’re growing, we bundle it up with a recipe and the kids who participate in the programs get to take home a cooking kit that includes everything needed to make that recipe,” Thompson said.

The produce bundles are delivered monthly directly to the schools that offer the Apple Seeds K-5 core curriculum. The bundles change seasonally—in the spring, for example, students may receive carrots, assorted herbs, and fresh greens such as spinach, kale, and lettuce. “Ninety-eight percent of the families that get access to our food say that it increases their consumption of fresh vegetables at home.”

At Asbell Elementary in Fayetteville, 90 percent of the roughly 300 students are eligible for free and reduced price lunch through the USDA National School Lunch Program. Every grade level there also offers an annual field trip to Apple Seeds and access to their produce bundles.

“The first couple of times that we had the produce bundles, students were a little hesitant, but now they will come right up and they’ll show so much excitement, they’ll want to take five different bags,” Asbell Principal Jamie Baureis said. “It’s completely changed the level of engagement with vegetables.”

Perhaps the most well-known and broad-reaching initiative is Alice Waters’ Edible Schoolyard, which was founded in California in 1995 and now comprises 6,500 programs across 47 countries, according to its most recent impact report.

These organizations all manage to address hunger and health issues in their communities without significant federal funding.

But for many others, including in Fayetteville, the sudden loss of federal funding last year is forcing abrupt shifts in how they operate and fulfill their missions.

For many others, including in Fayetteville, the sudden loss of federal funding last year is forcing abrupt shifts in how they operate and fulfill their missions.

AHRA took an $800,000 hit to its annual budget last year, with $600,000 cut from nutrition education for children and adults due to the termination of SNAP-Ed. “We lost that funding without warning,” said AHRA CEO Sylvia Blain. “We still had one year left on our agreement, so there was confusion about whether or not we would be allowed to finish out our contract which would go through September 2026. We have not yet secured new partnerships to fund this work.”

Since July 2025, when the One Big Beautiful Bill set an Oct. 1 end date for SNAP-Ed, the AHRA has pared down programming and tried to fill the gap by focusing on individual and corporate donors. This hasn’t been easy, because the coalition must compete with other nonprofits for a limited pool of resources.

Apple Seeds typically relies on government grants for about a third of its funding, with events and donations from individuals, family foundations, and corporations bringing in the rest. In 2025, several grants that Apple Seeds had received or applied for were unexpectedly discontinued.

When the Farm to School grant program was reinstated in September 2025, AHRA and Apple Seeds co-submitted a proposal in the hopes of receiving some of the allotted $18 million in funds for all states, to be announced in April 2026.

The funding cuts from the past year confirmed the importance of having diversified streams of income, Thompson said. “They can balance each other whenever one area is not as strong in any given year. This is across individual giving, corporate giving, grants, and services we offer at a fee.”

In the future, this could mean that Apple Seeds plans more ticketed events, like a Kitchen Table dinner series they have hosted monthly since 2017. “We love to fundraise around the same mission of our work with our kids—building community around good food,” Thompson said.

Last year, 20,155 students from central and northwest Arkansas (including Fayetteville) participated in Apple Seeds programs. This year, the organization expects to reach capacity and is planning to build two additional teaching farms over the next few years. This will, of course, depend on funding.

“I think we’re going to see a highly competitive fundraising environment in 2026, and that is concerning, because there’s a lot of great work that needs to be done,” Blain said. “Hope is the flip side of that—it’s the coalition building that’s happening right now across sectors to make sure that this work continues. People realize that we’ve got a lot to do in the grassroots sector, and that our communities have got to support one another.”

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —

The Charleston, Gans, Hackett, Poteau, Roland, Muldrow, and Waldon school districts announced they would not have classes on Friday, Jan. 29.

Fayetteville Public Schools said they will be open on Friday.

"Also, there is a slight chance of precipitation this evening. We will be monitoring the situation closely, and we will alert you by email and text no later than 5:30 a.m. in the morning if driving conditions have changed," a district note sent to families on Thursday read.

The Executive Director of Communications for Fayetteville Public Schools, Alan Wilbourn, said a lot goes into making sure students and staff and get to and from school safely.

"The superintendent and members of the transportation department will go out in separate vehicles and go out and test various areas and we're working very closely with the city," said Wilbourn. "No one wants to see that big yellow bus with 66 little faces on it going sideways, so we're going to make certain it's absolutely safe for the busses to run so we can get that child safely to and from school."

Springdale Schools will also be open Friday. A message to parents and guardians asked them to notify the school if travel is unsafe in their neighborhood and their children will be absent.

Schools across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley were closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday due to the winter weather.

Road crews are worried about a refreeze.

What districts say

School districts say they plan to notify parents and guardians about any updated decisions.

Rogers Public Schools superintendent Jeff Perry said he's been a superintendent long enough to know what winter weather can do. That is why he said he builds in days to allow for it.

"Well, you know, we knew when we had that 60 and 70 degree temperature weather a couple of weeks ago that there would be a bill to pay for that," Perry said.

Perry is well aware of the far reaching impact that canceling school can have.

"A lot of those students may not have a breakfast or a lunch during that day," Perry said.

Perry and a small group of district leaders talk before a final decision is made about canceling school. Of course, travel to and from school is at the forefront of those discussions.

"Our buses travel over 4,000 miles every day," Perry said. "And so, when you travel those 4,000 miles, it's not all on the main streets of Rogers. It's not all on roads that are paved. It's not all on roads that have would have sunlight."

The superintendent said the district built in 5 snow days for this year. Wednesday will mark the third of those five snow days. Perry said Rogers already has longer school days to allow for those snow days. It helps to make sure students and teachers remain on track for state testing in the spring.

"So, we will have 2 more days before we have to make up any time," Perry said.

Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools, Dr. John Mulford, told 40/29 News that secondary road conditions were a big reason why he canceled classes for Tuesday.

"We look at a variety of factors," Mulford said. "Certainly, the ability to run our own buses plays into it. But, beyond that, it's, you know, our ability to get staff here. A lot of our staff don't live right here in town, and they have to commute. So, what does the larger area look like outside of the district?"

Mulford said he hoped to dispatch more officials to check secondary roads once more melting took place.

"And, we try to hit all the different parts," Mulford said. "Especially, troubled parts that are hilly or that tend to be shaded. Just to kind of see what they look like and then from that, make a decision."

For Fort Smith Public Schools, the district said this is the first year it is utilizing its new weather committee. A group of about two dozen people. It includes district leaders, teachers, and parents.

"We live throughout the area," Fort Smith Public Schools executive director of communications and engagement, Kimberly Mundell, said. "Whether it's Alma, Fort Smith, Lavaca, Greenwood — any of the area. And so, we're pretty well represented as far as the River Valley area."

Therefore, committee members can provide weather conditions from a number of spots in and around Fort Smith. Mundell said it helps the superintendent to be better informed when making the final decision about whether to have school. After all, the decision impacts many, including bus drivers.

"So, I know as a district, we want to make sure that we're making the decisions about school in enough notice so that those early staff members have plenty of time to know what they're going to need to do," Mundell said. "If they are going to need to leave a little extra early or if they just know they can stay home."

For most districts, it's also a matter of making sure the buildings and properties are in good enough shape to welcome back students and teachers.

More resources

4029tv.com has an automated closings list, which you can find at https://www.4029tv.com/weather/closings

You can see the 7-day forecast for Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley anytime. We also have an interactive radar and live skycams.

Subscribe to 40/29 News on YouTube for the latest weather and news.

The 40/29 Get Ready Weather Team includes Chief Meteorologist Darby Bybee and meteorologists Laura Huckabee, Drake Foley and Cole Makos.

Be sure to download and personalize the free 40/29 News app to stay safe during severe weather.