Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 89,496 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.7% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $52,692 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $33,991 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 18.3% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 25.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.0% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.7% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 15.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 17.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 61.7°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 45.5 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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