City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Smith is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Jacksonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
24% lower than Jacksonville's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $1,250 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,250 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Smith offers 63% higher 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 $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $49,666 |
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 | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Fort Smith has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Jacksonville.
Fort Smith scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fort Smith leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Fort Smith 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 | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
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
Jacksonville
#349Arkansas, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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