Fort Smith AR vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 61.2% | 55.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $30,409 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 21.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 23.2% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 44.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.1% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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