Fort Smith AR vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 61.2% | 21.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $608,357 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 52.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Richmond
503
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 37.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA