Fort Smith AR vs Oceanside CA — 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 61.2% | 52.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $877,452 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Oceanside
503
Oceanside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Oceanside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 31.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Oceanside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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