10 Best Places To Call Home In The Ozarks In 2025
While some associate life in the Ozarks with seclusion and monotony, these 10 small towns tell a different story. Spanning sections of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, the region is home to some of the prettiest towns, rivers, lakes, and woodlands in the United States. Coupled with excellent schools, affordable housing, and good-old-fashioned southern hospitality, life here is nothing short of blissful. Whether moving with your family, relocating for work, or searching for a place to retire, these are 10 of the best places to call home in the Ozarks in 2025.
Mammoth Spring, Arkansas
Snuggled between the Ozarks and the Arkansas Delta, Mammoth Spring is a small town with a huge heart and an even bigger backyard. Life in this foothills town is laid-back and nature-centered, anchored by Mammoth Spring State Park. Its namesake spring is one of the largest in the world, boasting 9 million gallons of water flow every hour. It forms a 10-acre lake that flows over a scenic dam, which then forms the serene Spring River.
Following the river south, residents can hike the waterway’s shores, dine at Wood's Riverbend Restaurant, or paddle with gear from Spring River Canoe Club. Notably, since housing in Mammoth Spring is so affordable, locals can often put more time and funds toward this leisure. While Arkansas homes saw a median list price of $284K in September 2025, Mammoth Spring homes saw a median of $225K.
Mountain Home, Arkansas
About 55 miles west of Mammoth Spring, Mountain Home is the perfect place for lake life on a budget. Centered between Bull Shoals and Norfork Lake, the town is a gateway to some of Arkansas’s prettiest waterfront parks. Homes here also cost below the national rate, listing at a median of $273K in September 2025. Accordingly, Mountain Home is a great place to raise a family or retire.
Whether hiking the Lakeside Trail at Bull Shoals-White River State Park or picnicking at Cranfield Park on Norfork Lake, serene scenes surround the town. More locally, Cooper Park has something for all ages, including a Senior Center, Youth Center, swimming pool, and nature pond. As for indoor fun, Mountain Home has plenty of ways to spend your weekends and evenings, such as catching a show at the Twin Lakes Playhouse.
West Plains, Missouri
Not far from the Arkansas state line, West Plains is a Missouri town blending big-city amenities with a small-town feel. As the region’s largest town within a 100-mile radius, West Plains serves as a commercial center and healthcare hub, boasting top-rated hospitals such as Ozarks Healthcare. Still, it maintains a cozy atmosphere thanks to its mountain setting and 12,000 residents.
West Plains is primarily a quiet town, allowing attractions like the Glass Sword Theatre and Galloway Creek Nature Park to be enjoyed without crowds. However, each third weekend in June, the town comes alive during its annual Old-Time Music and Ozark Heritage Festival. With its urban and suburban charms, West Plains’ affordability is the cherry on top. While Missouri’s homes listed at a median of $285K in September 2025, West Plains’ homes listed at $244K.
Lebanon, Missouri
Affordability is also a prominent perk of life in Lebanon, a Missouri town that describes itself as “the perfect community for a new beginning.” Although homes here are listed above the state median in September 2025, August sale prices reveal savings. While Missouri’s homes sold at a median of $274K, Lebanon’s sold at a lower median of $240K. Better yet, nearly 50% of homes sold under list price, proving there is plenty of room to save.
As a former Route 66 stop, Lebanon also has plenty of ways to have fun and let loose. The Lebanon I-44 Speedway is a gem for car racing enthusiasts, while the Lebanon Family YMCA is a great place to stay in shape. For outdoor recreation, Lebanon is also popular for its proximity to Bennett Spring State Park. Set in the Ozark Hills, the park attracts upwards of 1 million visitors every year with its Bennett Spring and Niangua River. Although most come here for its world-famous trout fishing, residents can also discover picturesque hiking paths like the Natural Tunnel Trail.
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
In the Ozark foothills of Oklahoma, Tahlequah is an affordable river town with top-notch schools, making it an excellent place for retirees, families, and students alike. In September 2025, Tahlequah’s homes listed at a median of $228K, far below Oklahoma’s median of $292K. It is also home to a range of schools for every age, from Pre-K to college. Notably, it houses Oklahoma’s oldest college: Northeastern State University.
As the Cherokee Nation’s capital, Tahlequah blends this heritage with its college town atmosphere, resulting in a well-rounded community. Attractions like Doc Wadley Stadium bring a youthful energy, offering a fun place to catch a college football game. Likewise, Tahlequah’s Indigenous heritage infuses the town with culture at sites like the Cherokee National History Museum. Furthering this balance of atmospheres, Tahlequah also has a natural side. Its setting along the Illinois River makes it a gorgeous place to paddle with outfitters like Riverbend Floats.
Bolivar, Missouri
Back in Missouri, Bolivar is a fast-growing Ozarks town ideal for families and young professionals. Just 30 miles north of Missouri’s third-largest city, Bolivar residents have easy access to Springfield’s assets, including healthcare at Mercy Hospital. The quick commute also increases job opportunities in Springfield’s top industries, including healthcare, education, and service. On the other hand, Bolivar is still at the perfect distance from Springfield to maintain its cozy atmosphere.
With houses in Bolivar selling at a median of $229K in August 2025, the town is a great place to save. That said, some of this disposable income could go toward local pleasures, from movie nights at B&B Theatres to family dinners at Smith's Restaurant. As for outdoor fun, Dunnegan Memorial Park is Bolivar’s crown jewel. Free to use and fun for all ages, its playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking paths are centered around a small scenic lake.
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Bordering a curve in the Mississippi River, Ste. Genevieve is one of the oldest towns in the Ozarks, yielding its signature frozen-in-time feel. Settled around 1735 by French Canadians, its Historic District is a time capsule, making up most of Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park. The district is lined with French colonial buildings and historic grounds like the Jean Baptiste Vallé Gardens. Many of the structures can also be toured, like the 18th-century Green Tree Tavern, Ste. Genevieve’s oldest-standing building.
Adding to its allure, Ste. Genevieve is a gateway to Hawn State Park, a breathtaking preserve with cliffs, creeks, and forests. The perfect place to unplug and unwind, locals can explore its terrains on hiking paths like the Overlook Trail, Pickle Creek Trail, and Whispering Pine Trail. Paired with the town’s affordability, Ste. Genevieve is one of the best places to live in Missouri. In October 2025, homes here listed at a median of $228K, well below the state rate.
Calico Rock, Arkansas
Bordering the beautiful White River, Calico Rock’s postcard scenes attest to its reputation as an “outdoor paradise.” Located along Scenic Highway 5, even the drive into town will take your breath away. Better yet, Calico Rock’s namesake seals the deal. Before the Ozarks town was officially settled, explorers nicknamed the area’s riverside bluffs after their calico hues and patterns. Layered with strips of blue, grey, orange, and red, these jaw-dropping cliffs encapsulate Calico Rock’s beauty.
Calico Rock is an excellent place to live if you love nature, affordability, and a laid-back pace. The former railroad boomtown has since quieted to around 1,700 residents, making it a peaceful place to settle down. Locals can hike the iconic City Rock Bluff, trout fish on the White River, and enjoy Southern comforts at the Printing Press Cafe. With homes here listing at a median of $259K in October 2025, life in Calico Rock is also incredibly affordable.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Like Calico Rock, Poplar Bluff is a serene river town named after the highland overlooking its waterway. Located in southeastern Missouri, this “Gateway to the Ozarks” differs in vibe, offering more commercial attractions. Live entertainment is a local highlight, from movies and plays at the Historic Rodgers Theatre to concerts and sporting events at the Black River Coliseum. Housing in Poplar Bluff also costs less than in Calico Rock, with a median list price of $214K in October 2025.
As for similarities between the towns, Poplar Bluff offers its own natural attractions. Its namesake bluff houses the Butler County Courthouse, not far from Black River spaces like Ray Clinton Park and Sportsmans Park. A 30-minute drive from town, Lake Wappapello State Park is another outdoor gem. The 8,400-acre reservoir is a picturesque place to swim, fish, kayak, and hike its shores on the Lake View Trail.
Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Ending our Ozarks journey in Oklahoma, Sallisaw is ideal for relocators seeking small-town bliss on a budget. Rich in history and beautiful waterfronts, there is nothing flashy about this suburban town, whose homes listed at a median of $209K in October 2025. But if you love the idea of taking life slow and embracing simple pleasures, Sallisaw may be the perfect fit for you.
Similar to Tahlequah, Sallisaw boasts historic ties to the Cherokee Nation, celebrated with landmarks like Sequoyah's Cabin Museum. Sallisaw is also renowned for its beautiful natural surroundings, including Brushy Lake Park. Owned and operated by the town, the recreation haven is a relaxing place to picnic, fish, boat, and camp. South of Sallisaw, residents can also visit the National Cherokee Nation Park, a tucked-away jewel for hiking the Arkansas River rim.
What Is Life Like In The Ozarks?
In many ways, life in the Ozarks is humble, some might even say slow. But in a world full of ongoing chaos and stress, its simplicity is a breath of fresh air. These Ozark towns may lack city skylines and bustling entertainment districts, but they are anything but dull. If you are someone who loves the serenity of lake life, the joys of a close-knit community, and the charms of a mom-and-pop downtown, the Ozarks promise all this and more. From Missouri to Oklahoma, these 10 Ozark towns invite you to slow down, unite with your community, reconnect with nature, and disconnect from stress.
