Fort Smith AR vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 61.2% | 16.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $48,416 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $25,509 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 10.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 24.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 17.4% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $482,675 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 24.1% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 23.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 46.3 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 35.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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