Fort Smith AR vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.9% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 46.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Little Rock
$53,714
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $53,714 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $216,863 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Little Rock
660
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Little Rock
2507
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 660 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2507 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 40.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 62.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 50.0 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Little Rock
20.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Little Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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