Fort Smith AR vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Orem
10.5%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 86,973 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.5% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,579 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $509,396 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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