Fort Smith AR vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.4 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 9.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 7.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $427,121 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 25.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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