Fort Smith AR vs Waukegan IL — 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 33,889 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $239,865 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 40.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 21.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 33.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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