Fort Smith AR vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 7.7% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $265,013 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 46.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 42.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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