Fort Smith AR vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 72,528 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 41.9 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 61.2% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $579,771 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 42.1% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 38.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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