Fort Smith AR vs Nashua NH — 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%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 91,131 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.7 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 61.2% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 14.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $507,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.0 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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