Fort Smith AR vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 61.2% | 52.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 25.0% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $264,637 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 41.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 31.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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