Fort Smith AR vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.0 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 8.5% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $575,076 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lakewood
512
Lakewood +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 512 | Lakewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3234 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 28.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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