2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Fort Smith, AR vs Van Buren, AR

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Highlights
Are people in Van Buren older or younger than people in Fort Smith?
- The Median Age in Van Buren is 1.9 years younger than in Fort Smith.

Are housing costs cheaper in Van Buren or Fort Smith?
- Van Buren housing costs are 11.9% more expensive than Fort Smith housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Van Buren or Fort Smith?
- The average commute for residents of Van Buren is 3.4 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 Van Buren?
Van Buren is a town in Crawford County, Arkansas with a population of about 25,000 people. Located just east of Fort Smith, this historic town was once the second largest in the state and provided trade and transportation services to travelers along the Arkansas River. Van Buren offers numerous attractions such as Park Hill Park, Lake Fort Smith State Park and the Van Buren Historic District. It also boasts top-notch eateries like Emma Jean’s BBQ, shopping options at downtown stores and galleries, entertainment venues like King Opera House Theatre and more. From outdoor activities to historical tours and cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone in Van Buren.

 Fort Smith, ARVan Buren, ARUnited States
 Population  Unlock23,213329,725,481
 Median Income$48,033  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock35.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$155,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.3%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 Van Buren    2 Reviews

We moved to Arkansas (and to Van Buren) 4 years ago from the metro Houston, Texas area. We were sick of the traffic and crime that comes with living in a large city.   More

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Over 18 years ago

I don't like Arkansas. It's pretty, but the pay sucks. Taxes are very high, and so are  More

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