Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 89,496 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.6 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 27.4% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 60.0% | 7.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $52,692 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $33,991 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $53,714 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.7% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 25.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $195,664 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 660 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2507 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.7% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.3% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.2% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 61.7°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 45.5 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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