City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Rogers
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rogers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Rogers
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Smith is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Rogers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
41% lower than Rogers's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Rogers | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $1,600 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,510 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rogers offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rogers 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 $55,000 in Rogers.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Rogers |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 73,913 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $86,728 |
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 | Rogers |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Rogers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rogers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Rogers |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Rogers.
From a growth perspective, Rogers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rogers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Rogers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 76,956 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | 1.76% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.10% |
| 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.
Rogers
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $86,728 per year, outperforming the state average.
Proximity to major corporate headquarters drives a thriving and resilient local job market.
Extensive outdoor recreation infrastructure includes Lake Atalanta and miles of premier biking trails.
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro ranked highly on national economic performance indices.
Cost of living sits comfortably below the national average while offering big-city amenities.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has driven up housing costs and rental prices over recent years.
High car dependency limits mobility for residents who prefer not to drive.
Summer months can experience high humidity and elevated temperatures.
Public transportation options within the city limits are limited compared to major metros.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak hours.
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
Rogers
#26Arkansas, USA
72.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.76%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
77
Business
74
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