Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 89,496 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.6 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 36.7% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 46.8% | 7.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,714 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $195,664 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2507 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.7% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.3% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 61.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 45.5 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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