Fort Smith AR vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 61.2% | 37.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $29,291 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 18.5% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $487,346 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 64.2°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | McKinney + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 35.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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