Fort Smith AR vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 61.2% | 40.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $429,449 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 41.2% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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