Fort Smith AR vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 61.2% | 36.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $480,548 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 51.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Sacramento
503
Sacramento +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Sacramento + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Sacramento is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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