Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 89,496 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 49.4% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 38.7% | 7.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $33,991 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,714 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 25.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2507 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.2% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 61.7°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 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, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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