Fort Smith AR vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 1.5% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 14.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 0.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $43,238 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $26,868 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $46,995 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 9.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 26.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 48.6% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 46.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.1% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 64.6°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 54.1 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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