Fort Smith AR vs Lynn 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 100,905 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.8 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 61.2% | 44.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 23.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $584,482 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 50.4% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lynn
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 33.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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