Fort Smith AR vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 61.2% | 58.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $31,152 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 18.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $324,946 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 51.7% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 69.8°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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