Fort Smith AR vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Overland Park
36.6
Tie
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.6 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $487,466 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2174 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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