Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fort Smith · Census data 2020–2024
Fort Smith has 89,805 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $54,816 (10% lower than the Arkansas median), the median home value is $178,100, the median rent is $884/month.
Fort Smith at a glance
- Population
- 89,805
- Median age
- 36.5State: 38.5
- Median household income
- $54,816State: $60,773
- Median home value
- $178,100State: $188,000
- Median rent
- $884/moState: $947
- Homeowners
- 53.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.9%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Fort Smith a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 5% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 10% lower than the Arkansas median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 18.3%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Fort Smith
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fort Smith the median home value is $178,100, 46% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $884 per month, which is 25.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,321 a month in housing costs.
Fort Smith median household income
The median household income in Fort Smith is $54,816 and the income per person is $34,413. 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Arkansas: 16%).
Housing in Fort Smith: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 40,475
- Owner-occupied
- 53.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 46.6%
- Vacant
- 9.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.40
Fort Smith demographics
- Population
- 89,805
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 23.8%
- 65 and older
- 16%
- Households
- 36,775
- Foreign-born
- 11.9%
- Veterans
- 6.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fort Smith ›
Education in Fort Smith
23.9% of adults 25 and older in Fort Smith have a bachelor's degree or higher (Arkansas: 25.7%), and 9.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fort Smith
- Unemployment rate
- 6.5%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 7.8%
- Drive alone
- 77.4%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.4%
Fort Smith vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | 89,805 | $54,816 | $178,100 | $884 |
| Arkoma | 1,976 | $43,929 | $83,600 | $748 |
| Barling | 5,007 | $54,387 | $140,000 | $1,128 |
| Van Buren | 23,763 | $61,149 | $181,500 | $847 |
| Central City | 627 | $69,583 | $134,700 | $1,141 |
| Bonanza | 711 | $63,631 | $133,300 | $945 |
| Pocola | 4,423 | $50,545 | $151,100 | $826 |
| Roland | 3,687 | $51,754 | $139,800 | $855 |
| Kibler | 1,085 | $58,500 | $210,100 | $807 |
More for people moving to Fort Smith
Fort Smith ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fort Smith: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fort Smith, AR?
The median household income in Fort Smith is $54,816, 10% lower than the Arkansas median of $60,773 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fort Smith?
The median home value in Fort Smith is $178,100, compared with $188,000 in Arkansas.
How much is rent in Fort Smith?
The median gross rent in Fort Smith is $884 per month, about 25.6% of household income.
Is Fort Smith, AR a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 5% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income 10% lower than the Arkansas median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 18.3%.
What is the median age in Fort Smith?
The median age in Fort Smith is 36.5 years (Arkansas: 38.5).
How long is the commute in Fort Smith?
The average commute to work in Fort Smith is 17 minutes; 7.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fort Smith?
The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 6.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fort Smith?
23.9% of adults in Fort Smith have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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