Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 89,496 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 11.7% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 10.9% | 7.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 5.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $52,692 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $33,991 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 18.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 25.3% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 53.0% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 37.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.7% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 15.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 17.2% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Elk Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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