Fort Smith AR vs Murfreesboro TN — 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%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Tie
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 40,828 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 9.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.7% | Tie |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $427,410 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 639 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.4% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 53.4 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 33.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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