Fort Smith AR vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 61.2% | 60.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $468,328 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 41.6% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 71.3°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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