Fort Smith AR vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 61.2% | 29.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $1,452,609 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
San Jose
503
San Jose +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Jose + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 61.5°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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