Bridgeport CT 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)
Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut · Population: 148,012
- Median HH Income$56,584
- Median Home Price$361,669
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+23.1%
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
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 89,496 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.6 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 11.7% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 22.4% | 7.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 20.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $52,692 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $53,714 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 660 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2507 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.7% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.2% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | 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.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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