Fort Smith AR vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 41.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 61.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 2.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $309,742 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Fort Smith +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.5 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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