Fort Smith AR vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 6.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 7.7% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $210,477 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 50.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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