Fort Smith AR vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 2.6% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 36.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 3.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $48,465 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,788 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 23.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Shreveport
643
Shreveport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | Shreveport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 43.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.1% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.1% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 52.7 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Shreveport
20.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Shreveport is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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