Fort Smith AR vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 115,263 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.8 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 61.2% | 46.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $251,699 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
High Point
13.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 46.1 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point 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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