Fort Smith AR vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 8.9% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 54.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 17.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $52,512 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $29,511 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.3% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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