Fort Smith AR vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.2% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 7.7% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $334,719 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 48.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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