Fort Smith AR vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
New York
35.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.0 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 61.2% | 35.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $816,078 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 32.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 46.6 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 44.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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