Fort Smith AR vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 48.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 17.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $419,326 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 63.8°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 58.4 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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