Fort Smith AR vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 5.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,835 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 24.9% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $313,452 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 22.3% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 68.5°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
San Marcos
19.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 19.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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