Fort Smith AR vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 11,627 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.7 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 61.2% | 52.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $472,888 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 22.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 29.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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