Fort Smith AR vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 79,526 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 40.7 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 61.2% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 4.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $514,358 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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