Clarksville TN 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)
Clarksville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 171,897
- Median HH Income$66,786
- Median Home Price$320,241
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+30.6%
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
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 89,496 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.6 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 59.4% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 23.0% | 7.7% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $52,692 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,714 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.3% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 25.3% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 53.0% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 660 | Clarksville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2507 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.8% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.2% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 61.7°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Clarksville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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