Fort Smith AR vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 61.2% | 59.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 13.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $45,611 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $30,282 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 28.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $299,633 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 38.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 21.3% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 68.9°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 47.3 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA