Fort Smith AR vs Long Beach CA — 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.8 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 61.2% | 41.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $862,599 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 40.9% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 64.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 32.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Long Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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