Fort Smith AR vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 5.5% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 27.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 4.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $32,068 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $51,690 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 46.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 64.5°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 52.8 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery 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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