Fort Smith AR vs Grand Prairie TX — 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%
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 198,564 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 61.2% | 32.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 24.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $34,348 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $318,759 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 22.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | 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
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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