Fort Smith AR vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 61.2% | 35.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Houston
6.7%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.7% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $265,062 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 42.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 38.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 24.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.7 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 29.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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