Fort Smith AR vs Norfolk 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 44.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 9.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $310,519 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 45.7% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 50.8 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk 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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