Edinburg 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)
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Edinburg
102,561
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edinburg
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Edinburg
19.5%
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Edinburg
39.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Edinburg
1.9%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Edinburg
2.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Edinburg
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,561 | 89,496 | Edinburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 36.6 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 11.7% | Edinburg + |
| White | 39.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 1.9% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 85.8% | 20.0% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edinburg
$57,789
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Edinburg
$27,278
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edinburg
$63,758
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Edinburg
6.6%
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Edinburg
25.7%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Edinburg
28.9%
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,789 | $52,692 | Edinburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,278 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Edinburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.7% | Edinburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.7% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 25.3% | Edinburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edinburg
$217,077
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Edinburg
52.5%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $217,077 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
442
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
2339
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Edinburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Edinburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
42.5%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
14.4%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edinburg
17.9%
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
32.3%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
18.2%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
11.7%
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.5% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.7% | Edinburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.2% | Edinburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
74.0°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
24.1 in
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.0°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.1 in | 45.5 in | Edinburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Edinburg +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edinburg
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Edinburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edinburg
22.3 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Edinburg leads in median household income at $57,789, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Edinburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Edinburg has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Edinburg 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%.
Compare More Cities
Edinburg, TX vs New York, NYEdinburg, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Edinburg, TXEdinburg, TX vs Houston, TXEdinburg, TX vs Phoenix, AZEdinburg, TX vs Philadelphia, PA