Fort Smith AR vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 61.2% | 50.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 19.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $484,226 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 44.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 47.0 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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