Fort Smith AR vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.9 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.3% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 7.7% | 0.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 11.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $672,082 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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