Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 89,496 | Broken Arrow + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 68.4% | 61.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $52,692 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $33,991 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $53,714 | Broken Arrow + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 18.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 25.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 53.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 660 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2507 | Broken Arrow + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 37.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.2% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Broken Arrow +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Broken Arrow + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Broken Arrow has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
Compare More Cities
Broken Arrow, OK vs New York, NYBroken Arrow, OK vs Los Angeles, CABroken Arrow, OK vs Chicago, ILBroken Arrow, OK vs Houston, TXBroken Arrow, OK vs Phoenix, AZBroken Arrow, OK vs Philadelphia, PA