Fort Smith AR vs Greensboro 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
5.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 61.2% | 40.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $58,884 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,858 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 18.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
$265,214
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
50.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $265,214 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 50.3% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.5% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 59.1°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 42.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Greensboro
23.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro 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%.
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