Fort Smith AR vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 61.2% | 30.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $2,144,024 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 43.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 25.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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