Fort Smith AR vs Laredo TX — 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 61.2% | 37.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 0.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 0.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $24,584 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 21.5% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Laredo
$221,806
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $221,806 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 42.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 35.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 74.2°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Laredo
22.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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