Fort Smith AR vs Sunrise 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%
Sunrise, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$361,456
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Sunrise
199,696
Sunrise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Sunrise
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Sunrise
28.0
Sunrise +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
8.0%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
50.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Sunrise
35.7%
Sunrise +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
4.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Sunrise
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 199,696 | Sunrise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 28.0 | Sunrise + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 8.0% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 50.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 35.7% | Sunrise + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Sunrise
$55,931
Sunrise +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Sunrise
$35,704
Sunrise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Sunrise
$65,328
Sunrise +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Sunrise
6.5%
Sunrise +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Sunrise
51.0%
Sunrise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $55,931 | Sunrise + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $35,704 | Sunrise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Sunrise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Sunrise + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 23.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 51.0% | Sunrise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
$361,456
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
39.5%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $361,456 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 39.5% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Sunrise
324
Sunrise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Sunrise
1453
Sunrise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Sunrise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Sunrise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Sunrise
31.2%
Sunrise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
14.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Sunrise
16.2%
Sunrise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Sunrise
12.2%
Sunrise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 31.2% | Sunrise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Sunrise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.2% | Sunrise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Sunrise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Sunrise
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, 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
Sunrise
7.2 µg/m³
Sunrise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Sunrise
75.0%
Sunrise +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Sunrise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunrise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Sunrise
20.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Sunrise, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 20.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunrise leads in median household income at $55,931, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Sunrise is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Sunrise has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Sunrise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunrise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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