Brockton MA 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)
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 89,496 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.6 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 11.7% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 38.3% | 7.7% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $52,692 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $33,991 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $53,714 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 18.3% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 53.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 660 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2507 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.0% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.8% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.7°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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