Amarillo TX 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 89,496 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.6 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 68.0% | 61.2% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 20.0% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $52,692 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $33,991 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 18.3% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 53.0% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.8% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.7% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.2% | Amarillo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 61.7°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 45.5 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Amarillo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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