Fort Smith AR vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 47,823 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.8 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 11.6% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $50,294 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $28,418 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $53,141 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 24.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 19.6% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $362,476 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 834 | Fort Smith + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3177 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 19.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fort Smith is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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