Fort Smith AR vs Temecula 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Temecula
110,404
Temecula +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Temecula
36.3
Temecula +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Temecula
57.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Temecula
28.5%
Temecula +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 110,404 | Temecula + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.3 | Temecula + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| White | 61.2% | 57.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 28.5% | Temecula + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Temecula + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $769,756 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Temecula
503
Temecula +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Temecula
2388
Temecula +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Temecula + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Temecula + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, 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
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Temecula +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Temecula + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Temecula + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 38.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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