Fort Smith AR vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 61.2% | 49.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $426,069 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 67.4°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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