Fort Smith AR vs Springdale AR — 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%
Springdale, AR
Arkansas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$339,383
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Springdale
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Springdale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Springdale
N/A
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Springdale
N/A
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Springdale
N/A
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Springdale
N/A
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Springdale
N/A
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Springdale
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | 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
Springdale
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Springdale
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Springdale
$53,714
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Springdale
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Springdale
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | 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 | $53,714 | Tie |
| 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 +
Springdale
$339,383
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $339,383 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Springdale
660
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Springdale
2507
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 660 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2507 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Springdale
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Springdale
12.3%
Springdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Springdale
19.4%
Springdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Springdale
21.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Springdale
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Springdale
16.0%
Springdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Springdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | Springdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 21.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.0% | Springdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Springdale
56.6°F
Springdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Springdale
47.9 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 56.6°F | Springdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 47.9 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Springdale
9.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Springdale
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springdale, AR | 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, Springdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Springdale 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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