Fort Smith AR vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.0% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 7.7% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $50,994 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,171 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $371,202 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 46.6% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 639 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 22.0% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.8% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 51.9 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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