Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 89,496 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 36.2% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 51.0% | 7.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,714 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 25.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 660 | Baton Rouge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2507 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Baton Rouge is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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