City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Sherwood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Sherwood
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 Sherwood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
30% lower than Sherwood's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Sherwood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $1,345 | -30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $213 | -20% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,248 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Smith offers 8% 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 $55,000 in Sherwood.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $46,462 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 49,959 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $81,328 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Sherwood sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.40°F | 64.80°F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | 34.40°F |
| Rainfall | 49.10 in | 48.50 in |
| Snowfall | 8.00 in | 9.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Smith has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Sherwood.
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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Sherwood.
From a growth perspective, Sherwood 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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 33,777 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | 0.47% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.9 |
| 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.
Sherwood
Advantages
The cost of living in Sherwood is 7% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Sherwood boasts a strong job market with employment growing at a rate of 5.52% from 2023 to 2024.
The city offers numerous parks and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and family fun.
Public schools in Sherwood are rated above average, contributing to a family-friendly environment.
The homeownership rate in Sherwood is 70.8%, higher than the national average, indicating a stable community.
Drawbacks
Sherwood's overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with a safety grade of D.
The city is largely car-dependent, with minimal public transportation options and low walkability scores.
Residents note a limited selection of nightlife and diverse entertainment options within Sherwood itself.
Violent crime rates in Sherwood are 77% higher than the national average.
While growing, the city's economic base is still developing, with a focus on a few key industries.
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
Sherwood
#408Arkansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,345
Avg Salary
$46,462
Cost Index
93
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/100
Walkability
20.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
64.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.47%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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