Fort Smith 63 Average
Fort Smith Livability #175 ranked city in Arkansas#15,065 ranked city in the USARanks better than 48% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Smith

PROS
  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Fort Smith?

Fort Smith is a medium-sized city located in the state of Arkansas. The city has a population of 87,788 residents. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Fort Smith is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Fort Smith and in the areas around Fort Smith is a much easier task.

Fort Smith, AR receives 61/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #170 in Arkansas and #15,289 in the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Fort Smith scores well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A-) On a less positive note, Fort Smith does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Fort Smith excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Fort Smith. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Fort Smith are affordable. The median home price for Fort Smith homes is $132,800, which is 15.8% 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 2.9, which is 7.4% higher than the Arkansas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fort Smith

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Fort Smith?

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Compare Fort Smith, AR Livability

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      Fort Smith transportation information

      Statistic Fort Smith Arkansas National
      Average one way commute17min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.9%82.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%10.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%1.7%2.8%
      Working from home4.7%3.2%4.6%
      Source: The Fort Smith, AR data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).