City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Pine Bluff
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Pine Bluff
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Fort Smith.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
30% higher than Pine Bluff's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Pine Bluff | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $728 | +30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $340 | +12% |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $1,553 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Smith offers 13% 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 $38,000 in Pine Bluff.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $44,500 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 57,051 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $42,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.40°F | 65.90°F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | 36.30°F |
| Rainfall | 49.10 in | 48.40 in |
| Snowfall | 8.00 in | 8.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 259 |
| 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 Pine Bluff.
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 | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Pine Bluff.
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 | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 38,213 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 7.00% |
| 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.
Pine Bluff
Advantages
Median home values and average rents are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Cost of living index is significantly below the U.S. baseline, providing high purchasing power for essentials.
Abundant outdoor recreational access including the Delta Rivers Nature Center and Arkansas River proximity.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Presence of higher education institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff enriching community culture.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property and violent crime indices, trend higher than the national average.
Economic growth and job diversification have faced historical stagnation relative to northwest Arkansas.
Low walkability and limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily tasks.
Higher-than-average poverty rates present ongoing socioeconomic challenges for local development.
Limited high-end entertainment and upscale dining options within city limits.
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
Pine Bluff
#556Arkansas, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$728
Avg Salary
$44,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
59
Business
52
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