Fort Smith AR vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.2 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 61.2% | 49.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $708,498 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 47.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 53.2 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA