Bismarck ND 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)
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
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
Bismarck
74,146
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 89,496 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 84.8% | 61.2% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $52,692 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $33,991 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $53,714 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.7% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 18.3% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 25.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 53.0% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 660 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2507 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.0% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.7% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 15.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.2% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 61.7°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 45.5 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Fort Smith
18.7 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 18.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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