Downey CA 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Downey
21.0%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 89,496 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.6 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 11.7% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 0.4% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 20.0% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $52,692 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 18.3% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Downey +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 37.0% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.7% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.3% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.2% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 45.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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