Fort Smith AR vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 5.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 24.8% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $414,734 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.4 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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