Fort Smith AR vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 67,231 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 61.2% | 48.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $1,215,642 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Pasadena
503
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 67.0°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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