Fort Smith AR vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.0 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.5% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 57.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $52,671 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $279,668 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 51.7% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 41.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.6 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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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