Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 89,496 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 75.6% | 61.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fort Smith
$53,714
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $52,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $33,991 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $53,714 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 25.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Fort Smith
660
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fort Smith
2507
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 660 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2507 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 61.7°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.5 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fort Smith is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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