ZIP Code · AR

ZIP 72903

Part of Fort Smith, AR

Pop. 27,242·Sebastian County·58th most expensive ZIP in Arkansas

Median rent (all units)

$996/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.6%

vs US Median

-$936

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 72903 · $996

More affordable than 98% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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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

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 72903 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Arkansas

Rent in ZIP 72903 changed +4.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 44 Arkansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($61,434) is $1,536 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,530).

Rank in Fort Smith

3rd cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Fort Smith.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 72901, 3 miles away, rents for 14% less ($860/mo), about $1,600 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 72903. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$11,952/yr

At $996/mo median

Location

CityFort Smith

StateAR

CountySebastian County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 4.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.1% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 72903 (Fort Smith, AR) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 30.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

27,242

Median income

$61,434

Median age

38.3

Renters

47.2%

Age distribution

21.8%

24.1%

24.5%

18%

Under 1821.8%

18–3424.1%

35–5424.5%

55–6411.5%

65+18%

Gender

51%

49%

Male51%

Female49%

Race & ethnicity

72.5%

White72.5%

Black8.3%

Hispanic11%

Asian2.5%

Other5.7%

Education (25+)

26%

33.6%

30.3%

No HS diploma10.2%

HS diploma26%

Some college33.6%

Bachelor's+30.3%

Housing tenure

52.8%

47.2%

Owner52.8%

Renter47.2%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 72903 in Fort Smith, AR has changed in 5 years

Rent

$868 → $996

up 14.7%

Income

$54,009 → $61,434

up 13.7%

Population

25,855 → 27,242

up 5.4%

Renter share

49.3% → 47.2%

-2.1 pts

Bachelor's+

32.7% → 30.3%

-2.4 pts

Median age

39 → 38.3

-0.7 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 72903 in Fort Smith, AR has climbed from $868 to $996, a 14.7% change over five years. Median household income rose from $54,009 to $61,434 between 2021 and 2024, a 13.7% shift. The population has grown by 5.4% since 2021, moving from about 25,855 residents to roughly 27,242. Renters now make up 47.2% of households, compared with 49.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 30.3% of adults here, versus 32.7% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 72903 in Fort Smith, AR reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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About renting in ZIP 72903

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 72903 covers Fort Smith, AR. The median rent here is $996/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 19% of local median household income ($61,434/yr), ZIP 72903 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 72903?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (about $19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $996/mo in ZIP 72903. The local median household income is $61,434/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 72903?

Rent in ZIP 72903 has risen 4.1% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

How does ZIP 72903 compare to other ZIPs in Arkansas?

ZIP 72903 is one of the more affordable among Arkansas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #58 of 61 at $996/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 72903 changed +4.1%, against a typical +2.4% across the 44 Arkansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.