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

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Ottumwa older or younger than people in Fort Smith?
- The Median Age in Ottumwa is 0.7 years older than in Fort Smith.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ottumwa or Fort Smith?
- Ottumwa housing costs are 37.0% less expensive than Fort Smith housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ottumwa or Fort Smith?
- The average commute for residents of Ottumwa is 0.1 minutes longer 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 Ottumwa?
Ottumwa, IA is a charming city located in Wapello County. With an estimated population of 25,000 people, Ottumwa has something special for everyone. From outdoor activities like fishing and hiking to cultural attractions like the American Gothic House–there's always something new to explore in this lively city. Residents also benefit from easy access to quality public and private schools as well as excellent healthcare facilities. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation—Ottumwa has something special for everyone!

 Fort Smith, AROttumwa, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock25,379329,725,481
 Median Income$48,033  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$155,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.2%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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Dis place lit no  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Fort Smith

Reviews for Ottumwa    5 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Ottumwa has a seemingly high rate of theft-related crimes as well as drug use which I'm sure correlates to the incidences of assault. For a community of 20-30,000, the  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

ottumwa, Iowa has no diverse culture. It is not very open especially when it comes to branching out to new ideas of others culture...The idea of culture here is the pro  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Pros: 1. Extremely low cost of living and housing 2. Affordable place to live Cons: 1. High crime rate 2. Very poor school system 3. Economically depressed 4.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ottumwa


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.