City Comparison
Fort Smith vs West Memphis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
West Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Smith is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in West Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
21% lower than West Memphis's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | West Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $1,200 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,075 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Smith offers 12% 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 $42,000 in West Memphis.
| Metric | Fort Smith | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 53,571 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $42,674 |
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Smith has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to West Memphis.
West Memphis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Memphis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Smith | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of West Memphis.
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 23,929 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.90% |
| 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.
West Memphis
Advantages
Median property value is highly affordable at around $120,100 per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic geographic logistics hub offering rapid access to major interstates 40 and 55.
Short average commute times of approximately 20 minutes for local workers.
Close proximity to the cultural and entertainment amenities of metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee.
Active local educational and workforce training presence through Arkansas State University Mid-South.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails the national average, standing at roughly $42,674 per Census reports.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with approximately 29.1% of individuals living below the poverty line.
Property crime rates and overall public safety statistics present ongoing challenges for residents.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates a high dependency on personal vehicles.
Local health indicators reflect higher-than-average rates of chronic health challenges.
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
West Memphis
#503Arkansas, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
61
Business
65
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