Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Austin
59.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 89,496 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 11.7% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.5% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.7% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 20.0% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $52,692 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $33,991 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 25.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.0% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.7% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.2% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 45.5 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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