El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 89,496 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.6 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.7% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 3.6% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 20.0% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $52,692 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.7% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 25.3% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.0% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.0% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.7% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 45.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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