Fort Smith AR vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 61.2% | 27.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $23,980 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 12.8% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $492,059 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 48.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
San Bernardino
503
San Bernardino +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Bernardino + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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