Moving to Fort Smith
What you need to know before relocating to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Fort Smith a Good Place to Live?
Fort Smith presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($58,609) trails the national median; violent crime rate (620/100k) exceeds the national average.
Fort Smith at a Glance
Cost of Living in Fort Smith
The median rent in Fort Smith is $857/month, while the median home value is $181,900. With a median household income of $58,609, residents spend roughly 18% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Fort Smith metro area is classified as very affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Fort Smith has a median household income of $58,609, which is 21% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Fort Smith
The violent crime rate in Fort Smith is 620 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2229 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Arkansas
Arkansas has a high school graduation rate of 89% and per-pupil spending of $13,258/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.
28% of Arkansas adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Arkansas has 215 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 9.1% uninsured rate, and 2.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Arkansas is 74.5 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Smith
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($857/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Home prices ($181,900) are well below the US median
-Cons
- ✗Median household income ($58,609) trails the national median
- ✗Violent crime rate (620/100k) exceeds the national average
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (93757 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith a good place to live?⌄
Fort Smith has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($58,609) trails the national median and violent crime rate (620/100k) exceeds the national average against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in Fort Smith?⌄
The median rent in Fort Smith is $857/month and the median home value is $181,900. The median household income is $58,609. Overall the metro is considered very affordable.
Is Fort Smith safe?⌄
Fort Smith has a violent crime rate of 620 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Fort Smith?⌄
Fort Smith has an unemployment rate of 3.3%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $58,609.