Fort Smith AR vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 61.2% | 39.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $313,219 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 48.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
North Charleston
15.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 26.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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