Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 89,496 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 11.7% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 2.2% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 5.7% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $52,692 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $33,991 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $53,714 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.7% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 18.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 25.3% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 660 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2507 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 37.0% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.8% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.7% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 15.3% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 17.2% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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