Fort Smith AR vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.9 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 61.2% | 44.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $791,317 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Rancho Cucamonga +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 34.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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