Dearborn MI vs Fort Smith AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
61.2%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 89,496 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 36.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 11.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 61.2% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $52,692 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,714 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 25.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 53.0% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 660 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2507 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 37.0% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.3% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 61.7°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 45.5 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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