Fort Smith AR vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Portland
11.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 68,505 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 11.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 7.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 3.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $561,069 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 46.7% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 47.3 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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