Fort Smith AR vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 40.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 61.2% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $618,452 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | 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
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 33.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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