Fort Smith AR vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Norman
7.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 9.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $264,711 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 52.7% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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