City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Little Rock
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Little Rock
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Smith is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Little Rock.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
21% lower than Little Rock's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Little Rock | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $1,200 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,120 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Little Rock offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Little Rock 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 $48,000 in Little Rock.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $57,980 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 65,146 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $63,003 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fort Smith comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.40°F | 65.30°F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | 92.90°F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | 35.10°F |
| Rainfall | 49.10 in | 46.20 in |
| Snowfall | 8.00 in | 10.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 255 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Smith has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Little Rock.
Little Rock scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Little Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Fort Smith.
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 | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 206,427 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | 0.41% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Little Rock
Advantages
Cost of living runs roughly 11% below the U.S. national average per BEA and regional economic data.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national median, offering high housing accessibility.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail.
Thriving healthcare sector anchored by major institutions like UAMS and Baptist Health.
Shorter average commute times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain parts of the city remain higher than the national median.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with notable humidity levels.
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state and national benchmarks.
Local average wages trail behind major coastal economic hubs.
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
Little Rock
#380Arkansas, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$57,980
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.41%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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