2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Fort Smith, AR vs Carbondale, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Carbondale older or younger than people in Fort Smith?
- The Median Age in Carbondale is 12.2 years younger than in Fort Smith.

Are housing costs cheaper in Carbondale or Fort Smith?
- Carbondale housing costs are 25.0% less expensive than Fort Smith housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Carbondale or Fort Smith?
- The average commute for residents of Carbondale is 2.4 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fort Smith.

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.

Things to do in Carbondale?
Carbondale, Illinois is a vibrant city located in the heart of Southern Illinois. Visitors will find plenty to do and explore, including popular attractions like the Giant City State Park and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The town boasts a thriving cultural scene with festivals, events, and live music venues all year round. Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy browsing through the abundance of eclectic specialty stores and boutiques. Those looking for outdoor adventure can take part in activities like kayaking or mountain biking at nearby Shawnee National Forest. With its diverse culture and plenty of recreational opportunities, Carbondale is an ideal destination for visitors looking to experience the best that Southern Illinois has to offer.

 Fort Smith, ARCarbondale, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock22,388329,725,481
 Median Income$48,033  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock24.838.4
 Avg. Home Price$155,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.27  Unlock26.38
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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Reviews for Carbondale    7 Reviews

I've lived in C'dale for over 30 years. I got an excellent education here - Giant City School was great, though fairly insular and not very diverse (among its drawbacks  More

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Over 17 years ago

I like Carbondale. It is relaxing and an easy way to go about getting a college degree. It has its ups and downs, mainly with the people in the town not recognizing the  More

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All of the comments are negative here and seem to me to be misleading. The idea that you have to have a lot of money in Carbondale is ridiculous. The price of cultural  More

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