Fort Smith AR vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.2 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 6.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $400,636 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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