Fort Smith AR vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 81,679 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 4.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 47.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 4.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 23.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $204,081 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lake Charles
643
Lake Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | Lake Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 45.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.0% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 62.4 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lake Charles
19.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 19.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lake Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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