Beaumont 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)
Beaumont, TX
Texas · Population: 113,710
- Median HH Income$57,530
- Median Home Price$170,393
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+25.2%
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
Beaumont
113,710
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Beaumont
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Beaumont
35.3
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Beaumont
10.8%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Beaumont
33.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Beaumont
44.9%
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Beaumont
3.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Beaumont
20.8%
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Beaumont
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,710 | 89,496 | Beaumont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.6 | Beaumont + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 33.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 44.9% | 7.7% | Beaumont + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 20.0% | Beaumont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Beaumont
$57,530
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Beaumont
$32,993
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Beaumont
$63,758
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Beaumont
5.3%
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Beaumont
19.8%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Beaumont
25.2%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,530 | $52,692 | Beaumont + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,993 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Beaumont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.7% | Beaumont + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.2% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Beaumont
$170,393
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Beaumont
54.2%
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $170,393 | $195,664 | Beaumont + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 53.0% | Beaumont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
442
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
2339
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Beaumont + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Beaumont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
42.1%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.3%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Beaumont
18.9%
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
17.6%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
14.4%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.0%
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.7% | Beaumont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.2% | Beaumont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
68.6°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
60.4 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.6°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Beaumont
9.2 µg/m³
Beaumont +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Beaumont
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Beaumont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Beaumont
22.3 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Beaumont leads in median household income at $57,530, while beaumont offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $170,393. On public safety, Beaumont is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Beaumont has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Beaumont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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