Fort Smith AR vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 61.2% | 51.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $253,423 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 25.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 65.6°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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