Fort Smith AR vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 102,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 4.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 7.7% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $313,200 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 26.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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