Fort Smith AR vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Waco
9.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 9.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 54.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $51,468 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $28,819 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 24.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $196,465 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 48.9% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.4% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 66.6°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 19.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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