Fort Smith AR vs Newport News VA — 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%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 8.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 42.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $294,407 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 48.1% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Newport News
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 40.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 25.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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