Fort Smith AR vs Miami 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.7 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 61.2% | 34.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $580,996 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 30.7% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 27.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 75.8°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 64.1 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 29.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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