ZIP Code · AR

ZIP 72904

Part of Fort Smith, AR

Pop. 21,296·Sebastian County·59th most expensive ZIP in Arkansas

Median rent (all units)

$918/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.2%

Month-over-Month

-1.6%

vs US Median

-$1,014

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 72904 · $918

More affordable than 99% 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

Past year vs. the rest of Arkansas

Rent in ZIP 72904 changed -1.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 44 Arkansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 4 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($41,909) is $1,048 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

2nd cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Fort Smith.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 72904. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$11,016/yr

At $918/mo median

Location

CityFort Smith

StateAR

CountySebastian County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.2% YoY, -1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 72904 (Fort Smith, AR) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,296

Median income

$41,909

Median age

32.5

Renters

46.9%

Age distribution

30.4%

22.8%

23.9%

12.4%

Under 1830.4%

18–3422.8%

35–5423.9%

55–6410.4%

65+12.4%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

31.3%

46.7%

White31.3%

Black7.3%

Hispanic46.7%

Asian9.4%

Other5.2%

Education (25+)

33.5%

34.7%

24.1%

No HS diploma33.5%

HS diploma34.7%

Some college24.1%

Bachelor's+7.7%

Housing tenure

53.1%

46.9%

Owner53.1%

Renter46.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 72904 in Fort Smith, AR has changed in 5 years

Income

$35,688 → $41,909

up 17.4%

Population

22,592 → 21,296

down 5.7%

Renter share

49.2% → 46.9%

-2.3 pts

Bachelor's+

6.9% → 7.7%

+0.8 pts

Census figures show median household income at $41,909 today, compared with $35,688 five years earlier. Census counts show ZIP 72904 in Fort Smith, AR losing about 1,296 residents over the five-year window, down 5.7% on net. The renter share has eased from 49.2% to 46.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 72904

About renting in ZIP 72904

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 72904 covers Fort Smith, AR. The median rent here is $918/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 26% of local median household income ($41,909/yr), ZIP 72904 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 72904?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $37,000/year (about $18/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $918/mo in ZIP 72904. The local median household income is $41,909/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 72904?

Rent in ZIP 72904 has fallen 1.2% over the past year.

How does ZIP 72904 compare to other ZIPs in Arkansas?

ZIP 72904 is one of the more affordable among Arkansas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #59 of 61 at $918/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 72904 changed -1.2%, against a typical +2.4% across the 44 Arkansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.