Fort Smith AR vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.4 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 5.3% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 7.7% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $31,683 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 20.9% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $210,384 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Independence
2418
Independence +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.9% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.4% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 25.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 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