All Cities
Bentonville, AR vs Fort Smith, AR
Side-by-side rent vs. buy comparison using 2026 market data — home prices, rents, price-to-rent ratios, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Bentonville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $419K | $225K | Fort Smith — More Affordable |
| Average Rent | $2,094/mo | $1,124/mo | Fort Smith — Lower Rent |
| Price-to-Rent Ratio | 16.7× | 16.7× | — |
| Median List Price | $548K | $246K | Fort Smith — Lower List Price |
| Price per Sq Ft | $220/sqft | $128/sqft | Fort Smith — Lower Cost/SqFt |
| Days on Market | 52 days | 41 days | Bentonville — Hotter Market |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Bentonville or Fort Smith?
Bentonville has a median home price of $419K and average rent of $2,094/mo, while Fort Smith has a median home price of $225K and average rent of $1,124/mo.
Should I rent or buy in Bentonville?
Bentonville has a price-to-rent ratio of 16.7×. The market is roughly neutral between renting and buying.
Should I rent or buy in Fort Smith?
Fort Smith has a price-to-rent ratio of 16.7×. The market is roughly neutral between renting and buying.