Fort Smith

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Fort Smith, AR

Area Guide

The “Wild West” never looked so friendly in Fort Smith

History Industry Shopping University Arkansas

Fort Smith, Arkansas combines historic appeal with contemporary living along the Arkansas River. As the third-most populous city in Arkansas, Fort Smith sits at the intersection of two major interstate highways, offering convenient access to surrounding regions. The rental market remains affordable, with average one-bedroom apartments renting for $651, showing a 1.2% increase over the past year. Two-bedroom units average $852, while three-bedroom homes typically lease for $1,290.

The Belle Grove Historic District spans 22 blocks of restored homes representing 130 years of architecture, while the Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves the city's frontier heritage. Residents enjoy the Arkansas River Trail system and Ben Geren Regional Park, which features golf courses and recreational facilities. The Fort Smith Symphony performs at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center, and the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum showcases rotating exhibitions throughout the year. The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine anchor the educational community. Notable areas include the historic downtown district, the developing Chaffee Crossing area, and the established neighborhoods along Rogers Avenue, offering everything from apartment communities to historic homes. Local events like the Peacemaker Music Festival and Steel Horse Rally add to the community's calendar of activities.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Fort Smith, AR is $562 for a studio, $672 for one bedroom, $861 for two bedrooms, and $1,338 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Fort Smith has increased by 2.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$672/month
655 Sq Ft
House
$1,415/month
1,172 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,186/month
886 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Fort Smith, AR

Transportation

48

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

42

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

John P. Woods Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

487 Students

Euper Lane Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

389 Students

Cavanaugh Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

310 Students

Elmer H. Cook Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

500 Students

Fairview Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

458 Students

L. A. Chaffin Jr. High School

Public

Grades 6-8

725 Students

Ramsey Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

832 Students

Dora Kimmons Jr. High School

Public

Grades 6-8

841 Students

William O. Darby Jr. High School

Public

Grades 6-8

700 Students

Southside High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,956 Students

Northside High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,433 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
  • Fort Smith National Historic Site
  • Wild Things Farm

Airports

  • Fort Smith Regional

Top Apartments in Fort Smith

Houses for Rent in Fort Smith

Property Management Companies in Fort Smith, AR

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.