Fort Smith AR vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 61.2% | 36.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 15.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $233,814 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 52.3% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 34.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
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