By Desiree Stock | NWALook |Collier & Associates, Executive Broker|
January Year-Over-Year Comparison (2025 vs. 2026)
Benton County vs. Washington County
January’s year-over-year data shows a market that continues to adjust through inventory expansion, pricing recalibration, and steadier buyer behavior. While both counties moved in similar directions, the pace and scale of change differed.
Inventory & Supply
Months of Inventory
- Benton County: 5 → 8 ⬆️
- Washington County: 6 → 6
Benton County experienced a significant increase in available supply year over year, while Washington County remained stable. This widening gap highlights differing absorption rates between the two counties.
Active Listings
- Benton County: 2,281 → 2,947 ⬆️ +29.2%
- Washington County: 1,283 → 1,308 ⬆️ +1.9%
Benton County saw a substantial rise in active listings, while Washington County inventory remained relatively flat. Most of the region’s inventory growth continues to be concentrated in Benton County.
New Listings
- Benton County: 669 → 700 ⬆️ +4.6%
- Washington County: 379 → 384 ⬆️ +1.3%
New listing activity increased modestly in both counties, indicating continued seller participation without a sharp year-over-year surge.
Pricing Trends
Median List Price
- Benton County: $397,000 → $445,663 ⬆️ +12.3%
- Washington County: $350,000 → $380,300 ⬆️ +8.7%
Median list prices increased in both counties, with Benton County posting a larger year-over-year gain.
Median Sale Price
- Benton County: $374,239 → $367,721 ⬇️ −1.7%
- Washington County: $337,300 → $356,475 ⬆️ +5.7%
Washington County recorded an increase in median sale price year over year, while Benton County experienced a modest decline, reflecting differing responses to expanding inventory.
Price per Square Foot
- Benton County: $232 → $248 ⬆️ +6.9%
- Washington County: $211 → $232 ⬆️ +10.0%
Price per square foot rose in both counties, signaling continued value strength despite shifting market conditions.
Market Efficiency
Close Price to Original List Price Ratio
- Washington County: 100.0% → 97.9% ⬇️ −2.1%
- Benton County: 99.9% → 97.8% ⬇️ −2.1%
Both counties saw a normalization in close-to-list ratios compared to last year, indicating slightly more negotiation while remaining near asking price.
Sales Activity
Number of Sales
- Benton County: 415 → 392 ⬇️ −5.5%
- Washington County: 229 → 212 ⬇️ −7.4%
Sales volume declined modestly in both counties, consistent with higher inventory levels and a more measured pace of transactions.
January Year-Over-Year Takeaways
- Inventory expanded sharply in Benton County and remained steady in Washington County
- List prices increased in both counties
- Sale prices diverged between counties
- Price per square foot rose across the board
- Negotiation increased slightly year over year
- Sales activity softened, but remains steady
Bottom Line
January 2026 reflects a market that is more supplied, more measured, and more selective than January 2025. Activity continues across Northwest Arkansas, with clearer distinctions emerging between Benton and Washington County conditions.
Understanding these year-over-year shifts is essential for accurately interpreting where the Northwest Arkansas housing market is headed in 2026.
Data reflects January 2025 vs. January 2026 market activity for Benton and Washington Counties.