Fort Smith AR vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.4 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 4.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 9.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $534,732 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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