Fort Smith AR vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 61.2% | 50.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 20.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $447,353 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 63.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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