Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 89,496 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.6 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 54.7% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 4.3% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 20.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $52,692 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 18.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 53.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.2% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 45.5 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Corpus Christi + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corpus Christi has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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