Fort Smith AR vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Gresham
5.7%
Tie
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 112,818 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.2 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 61.2% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.7% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 23.6% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $472,119 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3001 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.4% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | 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
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 28.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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