Fort Smith AR vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 61.2% | 40.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $449,058 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 71.3°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 50.4 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 31.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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