Fort Smith AR vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 68,141 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.1 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 61.2% | 17.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 19.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $523,551 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Vallejo
503
Vallejo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Vallejo
2388
Vallejo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Vallejo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Vallejo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
13.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 36.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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