Fort Smith AR vs Henderson NV — 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%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Henderson
14.1%
Henderson +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Henderson
6.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Henderson
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 14.1% | Henderson + |
| White | 61.2% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Henderson
$62,696
Henderson +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Henderson
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Henderson
36.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,696 | Henderson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 36.8% | Henderson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Henderson
$487,098
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $487,098 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Henderson
460
Henderson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Henderson
2417
Henderson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 460 | Henderson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2417 | Henderson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Henderson
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | 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
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Henderson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Henderson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 26.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Henderson is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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