Fort Smith AR vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 61.2% | 53.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $411,323 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 72.1°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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