Burlington VT 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)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
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
Burlington
44,649
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 89,496 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 36.6 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 85.8% | 61.2% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $52,692 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $33,991 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $53,714 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.7% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 25.3% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 660 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2507 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 37.0% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 13.8% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 15.3% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 17.2% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 61.7°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 45.5 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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