Fort Smith AR vs Fresno 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 61.2% | 38.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $31,012 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 24.9% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $391,442 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 49.7% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fresno
15.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Fresno
14.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 64.2°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Fresno
23.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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