Fort Smith AR vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 60,412 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.3 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 1.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 4.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $337,690 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.2% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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