2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Fort Smith, AR

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Highlights
Are people in Fort Smith older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Fort Smith is 13.6 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Fort Smith or Ames?
- Fort Smith housing costs are 35.2% less expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Fort Smith or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Fort Smith is 0.2 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Ames.

Things to do in Ames?
Ames, Iowa is a lively city located in the heart of central Iowa. This bustling city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the picturesque Reiman Gardens or the historic Octagon Center for the Arts. Residents here also enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities at Hills Memorial Park or Brookside Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Ames their home.

Things to do in Fort Smith?
Fort Smith, Arkansas is located along the Arkansas River Valley offering plenty of outdoor activities including fishing, hunting and golfing. The city is also known for its vibrant music scene and rich cultural heritage with multiple museums and restaurants to discover.

 Ames, IAFort Smith, ARUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,116329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3738.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.44  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

Hello, I am in San Jose Ca, but am seriously thinking of moving somewhere much slower for a better quality of living. I've just turned 59, so I'm kinda preparing for  More

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Over 13 years ago

Like every other city Ames has both good and bad points. The good points are: low cost of living, very friendly people, lots of outdoor activities and quite a few events  More

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Ames enjoys a high quality of life at a very affordable cost, substantially lower than many other communities. The presence of Iowa State University, a large (28,000  More

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Reviews for Fort Smith    28 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I lived here for over a year and it SUCKS. The major grocery store is Walmart. And two other grocery stores and they are high price. One Sams Club , one target ,one  More

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Over 4 years ago

I have been here since 2005. The only good thing about Fort Smith is they have 2 Aldi locations. The cost of living might be cheaper but you also don't have renter's  More

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Over 6 years ago

Dis place lit no  More

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