City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Smith is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Smith delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Smith is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Smith runs warmer on average — a 63.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Smith comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Smith sees 8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Smith
Advantages
Median home values and rental rates are significantly lower than the national average per recent Census and Zillow data.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure featuring major medical centers like Mercy and Baptist Health.
Short average commute times that minimize daily travel stress compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including the Ozark National Forest and scenic mountain biking trails.
A revitalized historic downtown area offering local dining, arts, and community events.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates and median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Public transportation infrastructure is limited, making car ownership essential for daily commuting and errands.
Summer temperatures can be consistently high and humid, requiring heavy reliance on air conditioning.
Job growth in certain traditional sectors has experienced fluctuations over recent cycles.
Walkability scores are generally low outside of specific downtown or planned mixed-use pockets.
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fort Smith
#271Arkansas, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$945
Avg Salary
$50,400
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
63.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.44%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
71
Business
66
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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