Fort Smith AR vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 61.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $505,085 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3234 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 32.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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