Fort Smith AR vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.9% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $297,017 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA