Fort Smith AR vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 61.2% | 26.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $45,300 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $27,319 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 10.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 25.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Hartford
$199,359
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $199,359 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 25.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Hartford
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 40.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.8% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.9 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA