Fort Smith AR vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 61.2% | 51.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 10.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $45,845 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $27,570 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 29.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $215,134 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 41.3% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 41.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.8% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 19.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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