Fort Smith AR vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 61.2% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 18.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $26,755 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $486,127 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 39.9% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 21.5% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Provo
20.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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