Can A Welder Afford Rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.9% of gross income.
Fort Smith rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).
About rent and a welder salary
Welder pay tracks the US median household income closely. Pipeline and underwater welders earn materially more. At the national-average welder salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,285 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Fort Smith, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Smith
View full rent data for Fort Smith, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Median rent in Fort Smith is $1,063 a month. A typical welder in Arkansas earns about $42,670 a year, which makes that rent 29.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a welder afford in Fort Smith?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Arkansas (~$42,670/yr) supports up to $1,067 a month in rent. Fort Smith's current median rent is $1,063/mo, which leaves a $4/mo buffer.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Fort Smith?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a welder in Arkansas works roughly 51.8 hours a month to cover Fort Smith's median rent of $1,063.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Smith for a welder?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Van Buren ($1,059/mo), Searcy ($1,059/mo), Searcy ($1,056/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.