Detroit 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 89,496 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.6 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 11.7% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 76.8% | 7.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,714 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $195,664 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 660 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2507 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Fort Smith
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.3% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 61.7°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, 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
Detroit
27.3 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit 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, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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