Fort Smith AR vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 61.2% | 57.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 19.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 18.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $220,279 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 52.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 37.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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