Fort Smith AR vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 71,542 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.9 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 4.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $31,499 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 18.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 22.7% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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