Fort Smith AR vs Garden Grove 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%
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 170,603 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 61.2% | 28.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $32,387 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 24.9% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $1,012,728 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Garden Grove
503
Garden Grove +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Garden Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 31.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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