Fort Smith AR vs Hampton VA — 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%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 137,334 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.5 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 5.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 37.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 6.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.3% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 27.5% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $278,048 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 40.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 61.9°F | Fort Smith + |
| 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
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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