Fort Smith AR vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.0% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 7.7% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 18.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $204,104 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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