Fort Smith AR vs Huntington Beach CA — 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 43.4 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 61.2% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 19.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $1,364,265 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Huntington Beach
503
Huntington Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Huntington Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | 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
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 31.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Huntington Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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