Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 89,496 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 11.7% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 61.2% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.7% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $52,692 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $33,991 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $53,714 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.7% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 18.3% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 25.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 660 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2507 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 37.0% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.8% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.7% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 15.3% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 17.2% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 61.7°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 45.5 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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