Fort Smith AR vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.4 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 6.6% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 31.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $245,988 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 50.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
New Orleans
643
New Orleans +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | New Orleans + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 66.6 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, New Orleans is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA