Fort Smith AR vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 54.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $30,804 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $53,141 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $290,963 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 834 | Fort Smith + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3177 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fort Smith is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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