Fort Smith AR vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 8.3% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 41.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $46,628 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $30,451 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 26.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $241,627 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 37.2% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 38.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.6 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, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA