Fort Smith AR vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 61.2% | 21.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $28,813 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 15.5% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $751,711 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 47.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 22.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 28.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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