City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Texarkana
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 Texarkana.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $899 | +5% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $290 | -41% |
| Transport | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $207 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,246 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Smith offers 15% 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 $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $45,835 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Smith sees 4.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.40°F | 67.30°F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | 93.60°F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 49.10 in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | 8.00 in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Fort Smith.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Texarkana.
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 | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Texarkana
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Texarkana is 11% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with median home prices 31.7% below the national average and rent prices 21.5% lower.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 13 minutes, less than half the national average.
The city has a robust healthcare infrastructure, including two major hospitals and various specialty clinics.
Texarkana offers a blend of small-town charm with access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Drawbacks
Texarkana has a high crime rate, with violent crimes 129% higher than the national average, resulting in a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.18% in 2026.
The poverty rate in Texarkana is 25.8%, significantly higher than the national average.
Utilities are about 20% higher than the Arkansas city average, primarily driven by electric rates.
The city has high car dependency due to limited public transit and walkability options.
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
Texarkana
#459Arkansas, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$899
Avg Salary
$43,800
Cost Index
89
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
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