Fort Smith AR vs Gastonia NC — 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 81,632 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.2 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.3% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 55.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 11.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,611 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $279,838 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 28.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA