Fort Smith AR vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.3 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 61.2% | 59.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 13.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $496,966 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 31.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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