How much does it cost to rent in Fort Smith, AR?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Fort Smith, AR is $1,071. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Fort Smith cheaper than other Arkansas cities?

Fort Smith is among the more affordable cities in Arkansas, ranking #29 out of 34 cities at $1,071/mo.

When was Fort Smith rent data last updated?

Fort Smith rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · AR

Fort Smith

Name: Average Rent Prices in Fort Smith, AR
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 89,805·29th most expensive in Arkansas·Fort Smith rents are up 7.6% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,071/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.6%

Month-over-Month

+3.1%

vs US Median

-$894

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Fort Smith rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Fort Smith · $1,071

More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

47/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Fort Smith's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$1,071/mo

Expected by trend

$1,057/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fort Smith's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$726

1 BR

$728

2 BR

$958

3 BR

$1,304

4 BR+

$1,578

Research median

$958/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$12,852/yr

At $1,071/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.6% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Fort Smith, AR is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

89,805

Median income

$54,816

Median age

36.5

Renters

46.6%

Age distribution

23.8%

24.1%

23.8%

12.3%

16%

Under 1823.8%

18–3424.1%

35–5423.8%

55–6412.3%

65+16%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

60.4%

20.5%

White60.4%

Black7%

Hispanic20.5%

Asian5.5%

Other6.6%

Education (25+)

16.3%

30.7%

29.2%

23.9%

No HS diploma16.3%

HS diploma30.7%

Some college29.2%

Bachelor's+23.9%

Housing tenure

53.4%

46.6%

Owner53.4%

Renter46.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Fort Smith, AR has changed in 5 years

Rent

$762 → $1,071

up 40.6%

Income

$48,033 → $54,816

up 14.1%

Population

89,116 → 89,805

up 0.8%

Renter share

48.3% → 46.6%

-1.7 pts

Bachelor's+

24.2% → 23.9%

-0.3 pts

Median age

37 → 36.5

-0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Fort Smith, AR has shifted from $762 to $1,071, up 40.6% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $54,816 today, compared with $48,033 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 48.3% to 46.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Fort Smith

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Fort Smith rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fort Smith on your salary?

At $1,071/mo, how Fort Smith rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $78,418/yr · Rent = 16.4% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $55,676/yr · Rent = 23.1% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $64,134/yr · Rent = 20% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $114,631/yr · Rent = 11.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $146,470/yr · Rent = 8.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $52,132/yr · Rent = 24.7% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $47,069/yr · Rent = 27.3% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $58,017/yr · Rent = 22.2% income

affordable

By apartment size

Fort Smith rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Fort Smith. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fort Smith

About renting in Fort Smith, AR

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fort Smith is $1,071/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $726/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $958/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $728/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,304/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($54,816/yr), Fort Smith ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fort Smith an affordable city for renters?

Fort Smith is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,071/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($54,816/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fort Smith falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fort Smith?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,071/mo in Fort Smith. The local median household income is $54,816/yr, meaning the typical Fort Smith household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fort Smith?

Rent in Fort Smith has increased 7.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Fort Smith neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fort Smith are 72901 ($855/mo), 72904 ($969/mo), and 72903 ($1,173/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fort Smith is $1,071/mo.

How does Fort Smith rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?

Fort Smith is one of the more affordable cities in Arkansas for rent, ranking #29 out of 34 tracked cities at $1,071/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fort Smith?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Fort Smith ($1,071/mo): Van Buren ($1,019/mo), Barling ($1,026/mo).

What percentage of Fort Smith residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.6% of Fort Smith households are renters, while 53.4% are owner-occupied. Fort Smith leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fort Smith rent compare to the national average?

Fort Smith's median rent of $1,071/mo is $894 (45%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Arkansas, it ranks #29 out of 34 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

23%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,071/mo, rent takes ~23% of Fort Smith's median household income ($54,816/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fort Smith 23%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.9%

Run the Fort Smith affordability calculator →

Nearby cities