Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,816$4,568 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Fort Smith, AR
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Fort Smith, AR
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Fort Smith, AR-OK MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $683 | $8,196 | $27,320 | 15% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $714 | $8,568 | $28,560 | 15.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $937 | $11,244 | $37,480 | 20.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,266 | $15,192 | $50,640 | 27.7% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,532 | $18,384 | $61,280 | 33.5% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Fort Smith, AR
Based on the local median household income of $54,816/year ($4,568/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Arkansas
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Arkansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Arkansas with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Fort Smith, AR
What is the median household income in Fort Smith, AR?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Fort Smith, AR is $54,816 per year (approximately $4,568 per month).
What is the average rent in Fort Smith, AR?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Fort Smith, AR are $683 for a studio, $714 for 1 bedroom, $937 for 2 bedrooms, $1,266 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,532 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Fort Smith, AR is 85.9 (14.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($937/month) in Fort Smith, AR requires a minimum gross household income of $37,480 per year ($3,123 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Fort Smith, AR?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,816/year ($4,568/month) in Fort Smith, AR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,284/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,370/month to discretionary spending, and $914/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Fort Smith, AR?
Residential electricity rates in Arkansas average 14.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $127 per month.