Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Fort Smith, AR?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27% of gross income.

Fort Smith rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).

Fort Smith median rent
$1,071/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Arkansas)
$47,559/yr
Rent as % of income
27%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,963, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,189/mo in rent. Fort Smith's median rent of $1,071 leaves roughly $118/mo of headroom under that threshold. A hvac technician works roughly 46.8 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a hvac technician salary

HVAC technician pay sits near the US median household income and rises sharply with certification and overtime. At the national-average HVAC salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,433 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Fort Smith, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:

North Little Rock, AR
$1,069/mo (27% of income)
Jacksonville, AR
$1,069/mo (27% of income)
North Little Rock, AR
$1,064/mo (26.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Fort Smith

View full rent data for Fort Smith, AR

Frequently asked questions

Can a hvac technician afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?

Median rent in Fort Smith is $1,071 a month. A typical hvac technician in Arkansas earns about $47,559 a year, which makes that rent 27% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a hvac technician afford in Fort Smith?

Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Arkansas (~$47,559/yr) supports up to $1,189 a month in rent. Fort Smith's current median rent is $1,071/mo, which leaves a $118/mo buffer.

How many hours does a hvac technician work to cover rent in Fort Smith?

At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a hvac technician in Arkansas works roughly 46.8 hours a month to cover Fort Smith's median rent of $1,071.

Where is rent cheaper than Fort Smith for a hvac technician?

Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include North Little Rock ($1,069/mo), Jacksonville ($1,069/mo), North Little Rock ($1,064/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Arkansas state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Fort Smith, AR. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.