Fort Smith AR vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 61.2% | 35.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $29,766 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 20.1% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $466,147 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 62.1°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 33.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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