Fort Smith AR vs St. George UT — 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. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
St. George
99,184
St. George +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
St. George
7.4%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 99,184 | St. George + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.9 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 7.7% | 0.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $456,900 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 63.9°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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