Fort Smith AR vs Moreno Valley 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%
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 61.2% | 22.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $28,255 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 17.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $552,845 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Moreno Valley
503
Moreno Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Moreno Valley
2388
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Moreno Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Moreno Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Moreno Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | 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
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Moreno Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 36.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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