Fort Smith AR vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 61.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $580,126 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 46.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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