Fort Smith AR vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 79,255 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 4.6% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 7.7% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $30,004 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $264,994 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 49.1% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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