Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fort Smith, AR
VS
Overland Park, KS
🏆 Overland Park leads 15 of 23 categories
Fort Smith
Arkansas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,799
Violent Crime Index
222⚠ High
Population
89,315
Overland Park
Kansas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$100,876 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
49 ✓ Safer
Population
196,676 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fort Smith, AR
Pros
Homes cost $206k less ($155,600 vs $361,800)
Rent averages $580/mo less ($798 vs $1,378)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Overland Park
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 39°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.1)
Cons
Median income trails Overland Park by $50,077/yr
Violent crime (842.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3684.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 3.2%)
Overland Park, KS
Pros
Households earn $50,077 more per year on average
78% less violent crime than Fort Smith
More college-educated — 62.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (184.4 vs 380/100k)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $361,800
Higher rents — median is $1,378/mo
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Fort Smith
Key Differences at a Glance
Fort Smith
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 85.1 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Fort Smith
Median Home Value
$206k less
$155,600 vs $361,800
Fort Smith
Summer Heat
5.9°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 88.2°F
Overland Park
Median Income
$50,077
$100,876 vs $50,799/yr
Overland Park
Violent Crime
78% lower
184.4 vs 842.4 per 100k
Overland Park
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.2% vs 6.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.1 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $155,600 ✓ Lower | $361,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $798 ✓ Lower | $1,378⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $50,799 | $100,876 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter | 19.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 19.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 203⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 222⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 175⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.1:1 | 13.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.9% | 62.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.1% | 97.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT | Blue Valley |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.3°F ✓ Warmer | 38.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 40.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.9" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 89,315 | 196,676 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 22.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Smith's cost of living index is 85.1 vs Overland Park's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Fort Smith is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Overland Park leads 15 of 23 categories. Fort Smith wins 8 and Overland Park wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fort Smith to Overland Park or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($155,600 vs $361,800 median home), income ($50,799 vs $100,876), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fort Smith, AR and Overland Park, KS are about 245 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.