Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 89,496 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.6 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 81.8% | 61.2% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $52,692 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $33,991 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,714 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.7% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 25.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Boulder +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 660 | Boulder + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2507 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 37.0% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 13.8% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.7% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.3% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 17.2% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 61.7°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 45.5 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Boulder is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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