Fort Smith AR vs Fort Wayne IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 9.0% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 7.7% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $32,884 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $245,993 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 40.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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