Fort Smith AR vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.7 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 3.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 39.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 3.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $51,090 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $32,893 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $51,690 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 18.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $197,044 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 51.4% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 40.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 67.4°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 65.3 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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