Fort Smith AR vs Fremont CA — 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.8 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 61.2% | 19.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $1,538,830 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Fremont
503
Fremont +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Fremont + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Fremont
13.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 59.6°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 33.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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