Fort Smith AR vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 61.2% | 39.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,716 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $648,603 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 66.8°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 34.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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