Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 89,496 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 49.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 39.5% | 7.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $52,692 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $33,991 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,714 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 25.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.7% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Fort Smith
18.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 18.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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