Fort Smith AR vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 61.2% | 36.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 25.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $330,564 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 28.4% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
New Haven
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 47.1 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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