Albuquerque NM vs Fort Smith AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 89,496 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 55.3% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 20.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $52,692 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $33,991 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $53,714 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 25.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 53.0% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Fort Smith
660
Fort Smith +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 660 | Fort Smith + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2507 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.7% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 61.7°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 45.5 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fort Smith is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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