Fort Smith AR vs Santa Clarita 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 Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 61.2% | 53.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $802,780 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 37.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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