Fontana 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)
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Fontana
56,358
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 89,496 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 11.7% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 1.2% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 5.7% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $52,692 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $33,991 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.7% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 18.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 25.3% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 53.0% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Fontana +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Fontana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 37.0% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.8% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.7% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.2% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Fontana, 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.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fontana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
Compare More Cities
Fontana, CA vs New York, NYFontana, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fontana, CAFontana, CA vs Houston, TXFontana, CA vs Phoenix, AZFontana, CA vs Philadelphia, PA