Brownsville TX 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 89,496 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 11.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 0.3% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 20.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.7% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 53.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.2% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 45.5 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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