ZIP Code · AR

ZIP 72901

Part of Fort Smith, AR

Pop. 19,819·Sebastian County·60th most expensive ZIP in Arkansas

Median rent (all units)

$860/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.5%

vs US Median

-$1,072

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 72901 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 72901 · $860

More affordable than 99% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$680

1 BR

$710

2 BR

$940

3 BR

$1,270

4 BR+

$1,530

Research median

$940/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 72901 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in July 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Arkansas

Rent in ZIP 72901 changed +2.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 44 Arkansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($42,851) is $1,071 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($940); a 3-bedroom is $1,270.

Rank in Fort Smith

1st cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Fort Smith.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 72901. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$10,320/yr

At $860/mo median

Location

CityFort Smith

StateAR

CountySebastian County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.6% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 72901 (Fort Smith, AR) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

19,819

Median income

$42,851

Median age

35.6

Renters

56.7%

Age distribution

21.6%

26.6%

23.3%

13.3%

15.3%

Under 1821.6%

18–3426.6%

35–5423.3%

55–6413.3%

65+15.3%

Gender

50.1%

49.9%

Male50.1%

Female49.9%

Race & ethnicity

59.8%

19.3%

White59.8%

Black9.3%

Hispanic19.3%

Asian3.1%

Other8.6%

Education (25+)

17.3%

37.3%

26.3%

19.1%

No HS diploma17.3%

HS diploma37.3%

Some college26.3%

Bachelor's+19.1%

Housing tenure

43.3%

56.7%

Owner43.3%

Renter56.7%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 72901 in Fort Smith, AR has changed in 5 years

Rent

$758 → $860

up 13.5%

Income

$39,016 → $42,851

up 9.8%

Population

21,183 → 19,819

down 6.4%

Renter share

56.6% → 56.7%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

20.1% → 19.1%

-1.0 pts

Median age

37.4 → 35.6

-1.8 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 72901 in Fort Smith, AR has increased from $758 to $860, a 13.5% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 72901 in Fort Smith, AR now reports about $42,851, up from $39,016 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 6.4% since 2021, moving from about 21,183 residents to roughly 19,819. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 72901 in Fort Smith, AR reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 72901

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 72901

About renting in ZIP 72901

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 72901 covers Fort Smith, AR. The median rent here is $860/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $710/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $940/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($42,851/yr), ZIP 72901 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 72901?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $34,000/year (about $16/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $860/mo in ZIP 72901. The local median household income is $42,851/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 72901?

Rent in ZIP 72901 has risen 2.6% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in July 2022.

How does ZIP 72901 compare to other ZIPs in Arkansas?

ZIP 72901 is one of the more affordable among Arkansas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #60 of 61 at $860/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 72901 changed +2.6%, against a typical +2.4% across the 44 Arkansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.