Fort Smith AR vs Rapid City SD — 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%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 76,836 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.0 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 2.3% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $363,258 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 20.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 18.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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