Fort Smith AR vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 8.6% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 43.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 18.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $374,265 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 43.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 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
23.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, 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 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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