Fayetteville NC 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
209,692
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 89,496 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 38.3% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 42.3% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $52,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,714 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 18.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 25.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 61.7°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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