Fort Smith AR vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 25.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $51,211 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $32,314 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 46.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Memphis
639
Memphis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 639 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Memphis
13.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 42.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.9% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 54.9 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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