Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue rebounds, up 6.6% from a year ago

Combined sales tax revenue reported by the four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas was $8.974 million in the April report, a gain of 6.6%, in the April report. The gain reversed declines of the past three months.

Only Springdale had lower year-over-year revenue through April. The region’s sales tax revenue through April totals $38.399 million, down 2.11% from a year ago.

Spending in February preceded the war with Iran that has sent gasoline prices in the region up around 40%, according to AAA data. While economists believe consumers can absorb higher costs in the short term, any long-term price elevation could reduce other consumer spending in the coming months, noted David Tinsely, senior economist at Bank of America Institute.

Rogers reported its best monthly results in more than two years with revenue of $2.334 million, up 15.2% from a year ago. For the first four reporting months of this year, Rogers sales tax revenue totaled $10.182 million, up 1.5% from $10.032 million reported a year ago. Revenue has been offset by rebates totaling $551,403 through March.

Fayetteville reported $2.655 million in sales tax revenue, up 7.27% from a year ago. Year-to-date, revenue totals $11.162 million, up 2.71% from the $10.867 million reported a year ago. Revenue was reduced by $1.203 million in rebates.

Bentonville has had a rough start in 2026, thanks in part to rebates totaling $2.292 million to date. But the city had $2.016 million in revenue reported in April, up 5.09%, reversing the downward slide in the three previous months. For the four months of the year, revenue totaled $8.813 million, down 10.14% from $9.808 million reported a year ago.

Springdale reported monthly revenue of $1.967 million in April, down 1.43% from the $1.995 million a year ago. The city’s rebates totaled $980,969 through March, a ding to the year-to-date reported revenue of $8.24 million. Year-to-date revenue is down 3.27% from $8.519 million a year ago.

SALES TAX REVENUE (January-April reports)
Bentonville
2026: $8.813 million
2025: $9.808 million
down 10.14%

Fayetteville
2026: $11.162 million
2025: $10.867 million
up 2.71%

Rogers
2026: $10.182 million
2025: $10.032 million
up 1.5%

Springdale
2026: $8.240 million
2025: $8.519 million
down 3.27%