Living in Fort Smith, AR offers a unique blend of history, culture, and Southern hospitality. Known as the place 'Where the New South Meets the Old West,' Fort Smith is rich in history and tradition. The city’s Fort Smith National Historic Site is a major attraction, providing a glimpse into the city’s role during the westward expansion of the United States.
Fort Smith’s downtown area is a vibrant hub of activity, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The annual Old Fort Days Rodeo is a highlight, bringing the community together for a week of rodeo events, parades, and family-friendly activities. The Fort Smith Museum of History and the Fort Smith Trolley Museum add to the city’s rich cultural offerings.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Fort Smith offers plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Creekmore Park and Ben Geren Regional Park, provide facilities for sports, picnics, and outdoor activities. The Arkansas River and the nearby Ozark National Forest offer scenic spots for hiking, fishing, and boating.
Fort Smith is also known for its strong sense of community and Southern hospitality. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Fest and the Peacemaker Music Festival. The local farmers market offers fresh produce and homemade goods, supporting the community’s agricultural roots.
For those considering a move to Arkansas, Fort Smith offers a blend of historical charm, cultural vibrancy, and outdoor beauty. Whether you're drawn by its rich history, community events, or natural surroundings, living in Fort Smith, AR provides a welcoming and fulfilling lifestyle.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Ratings
Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.
Fort Smith, Arkansas is a moderately-sized city with a population of 90,724 inhabitants. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Fort Smith. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Fort Smith, Arkansas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Fort Smith and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Fort Smith to Arkansas and the national average.
Using data and statistics Fort Smith has received a livability score of 63 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 48th percentile when compared to all other cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Fort Smith ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Fort Smith ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Fort Smith apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Fort Smith is real estate affordability. The median home price for Fort Smith homes is $236,901, which is 13.4% higher than the Arkansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Fort Smith, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 6.1% higher than the Arkansas average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Fort Smith | Arkansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.9% | 82.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.9% | 10.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 1.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.7% | 3.2% | 4.6% |
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