Fort Smith AR vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 61.2% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 7.7% | 3.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $510,577 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 49.9% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 25.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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