Bakersfield CA 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 89,496 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.6 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 11.7% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 6.2% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 20.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $52,692 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.0% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.7% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.2% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 45.5 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA