Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 89,496 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 61.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $52,692 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,991 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $53,714 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 25.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Duluth +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 660 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2507 | Duluth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Duluth +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Duluth +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Duluth +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Duluth +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 37.0% | Duluth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.8% | Duluth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.7% | Duluth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 15.3% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.2% | Duluth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | 61.7°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | 45.5 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Duluth +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Duluth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Duluth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Fort Smith
18.7 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Duluth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Duluth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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