Fort Smith AR vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 82,506 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 48.4 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 61.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 7.7% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 14.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $312,001 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 38.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 72.6°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 54.8 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 25.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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