Fort Smith AR vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 61.2% | 51.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $286,396 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 70.2°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 50.0 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 26.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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