Fort Smith AR vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 6.6% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 59.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $225,222 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lafayette
643
Lafayette +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | Lafayette + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 67.6°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 61.0 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lafayette is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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