Fort Smith AR vs Port St. Lucie 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 43.7 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 61.2% | 60.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $36,352 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 26.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $327,700 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 32.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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