Fort Smith AR vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Pueblo
111,514
Pueblo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 111,514 | Pueblo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 4.0% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 70.3% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 0.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Pueblo
$55,305
Pueblo +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $55,305 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $30,949 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 22.8% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
$286,326
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $286,326 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Pueblo
512
Pueblo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 512 | Pueblo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3234 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Pueblo
13.5%
Pueblo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.5% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.5% | Pueblo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.1% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Pueblo
21.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pueblo leads in median household income at $55,305, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Pueblo is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Pueblo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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