Fort Smith AR vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.8% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 36.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $51,888 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $29,679 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 23.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $226,456 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 41.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 41.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.3% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 24.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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