Fort Smith AR vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 3.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $45,984 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $30,864 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $245,279 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 42.9% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.6 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Springfield
19.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 19.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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