Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Evansville +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 89,496 | Evansville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 77.1% | 61.2% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 7.7% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,714 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.7% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 53.0% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 660 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2507 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 61.7°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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