Chesapeake VA 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)
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 89,496 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 56.2% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $52,692 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $33,991 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $53,714 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 18.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 25.3% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 53.0% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 660 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2507 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.7% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.2% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | 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.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
Compare More Cities
Chesapeake, VA vs New York, NYChesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChesapeake, VA vs Chicago, ILChesapeake, VA vs Houston, TXChesapeake, VA vs Phoenix, AZChesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PA