Fort Smith AR vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.9 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 61.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $865,610 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 28.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 65.6°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 28.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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