Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 89,496 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.6 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 72.9% | 61.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 7.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Charleston +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $52,692 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $33,991 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,714 | Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 25.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 37.0% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 17.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA