Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 89,496 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 11.7% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 7.7% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $52,692 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $33,991 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $53,714 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 18.3% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 25.3% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 53.0% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 660 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2507 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.7% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.2% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 61.7°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 45.5 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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