Fort Smith AR vs Southaven MS — 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%
Southaven, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$276,140
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Southaven
N/A
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Fort Smith +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $46,995 | Fort Smith + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Southaven
$276,140
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $276,140 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Southaven
1808
Southaven +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 247 | Southaven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1808 | Southaven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Southaven
37.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Southaven
12.5%
Southaven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Southaven
16.7%
Southaven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Southaven
10.0%
Southaven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Southaven
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Southaven
14.2%
Southaven +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Southaven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Southaven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.0% | Southaven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.2% | Southaven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | 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
Fort Smith +
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Southaven
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. 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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