Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Flint
34.4%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 89,496 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.6 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 34.4% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 56.6% | 7.7% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,714 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $195,664 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 53.0% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 660 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2507 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Fort Smith
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.5% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 61.7°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 45.5 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint 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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