Fort Smith AR vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.3 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 61.2% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 7.7% | 3.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $570,934 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 49.4% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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