Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fort Smith, AR
VS
Longmont, CO
🏆 Longmont leads 14 of 23 categories
Fort Smith
Arkansas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,799
Violent Crime Index
222⚠ High
Population
89,315
Longmont
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$89,720 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
98,282 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fort Smith, AR
Pros
Homes cost $333k less ($155,600 vs $488,100)
Rent averages $891/mo less ($798 vs $1,689)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Longmont
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.1)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 45°F
Cons
Median income trails Longmont by $38,921/yr
Violent crime (842.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3684.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 4.1%)
Longmont, CO
Pros
Households earn $38,921 more per year on average
44% less violent crime than Fort Smith
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $488,100
Higher rents — median is $1,689/mo
Violent crime (469.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Fort Smith
Key Differences at a Glance
Fort Smith
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 85.1 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Fort Smith
Median Home Value
$333k less
$155,600 vs $488,100
Fort Smith
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 90.8°F
Longmont
Median Income
$38,921
$89,720 vs $50,799/yr
Longmont
Violent Crime
44% lower
469.3 vs 842.4 per 100k
Longmont
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Longmont, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.1 ✓ Cheaper | 103.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $155,600 ✓ Lower | $488,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $798 ✓ Lower | $1,689⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $50,799 | $89,720 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 17.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 203⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 222⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 175⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.9% | 46.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.1% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT | St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.3°F ✓ Warmer | 44.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer | 90.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 16.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.9" ✓ Less | 47.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 89,315 | 98,282 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 63.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 20.4% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 17.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Smith's cost of living index is 85.1 vs Longmont's 103.4 (US average = 100).
Fort Smith is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Longmont leads 14 of 23 categories. Fort Smith wins 9 and Longmont wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fort Smith to Longmont or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($155,600 vs $488,100 median home), income ($50,799 vs $89,720), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fort Smith, AR and Longmont, CO are about 673 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.