Fort Smith AR vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 44,998 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 57.8 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 61.2% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $503,393 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 63.5°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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