Fort Smith AR vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Madison
11.6%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 11.6% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 9.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $429,253 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 46.6% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 20.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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