Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 89,496 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 22.4% | 7.7% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.7% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 20.0% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $52,692 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $33,991 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.7% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 18.3% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 25.3% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 53.0% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.0% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.8% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.7% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.2% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 45.5 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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