Fort Smith AR vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 11.3% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 61.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,953 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 18.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $309,801 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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