Fort Smith AR vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 26,509 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.7 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 7.7% | 3.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 3.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $344,633 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 28.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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