Fort Smith AR vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 41.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 6.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 19.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $422,520 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 32.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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