Fort Smith AR vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 61.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $438,754 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3001 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 41.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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