Fort Smith AR vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 61.2% | 58.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $435,532 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 42.4% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.9% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.1 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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