Fort Smith AR vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 11.0% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 7.7% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 9.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $52,606 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $332,727 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA