Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Concord +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Concord
54.7%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 89,496 | Concord + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.6 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 11.7% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 22.1% | 7.7% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 5.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $52,692 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $33,991 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,714 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.7% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 18.3% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 25.3% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 53.0% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.0% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.8% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.7% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.2% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 61.7°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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