Fort Smith AR vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 9.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $293,233 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 20.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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