Fort Smith AR vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.2 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 5.3% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 7.7% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,290 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA