Fort Smith AR vs Glendale 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Glendale
18.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 192,270 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 41.4 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 61.2% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 18.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $1,205,826 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 35.3% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Glendale
503
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Glendale
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 64.1°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Glendale 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 Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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