Fort Smith AR vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 61.2% | 39.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 11.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $580,173 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 41.1% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 24.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 32.8 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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