Fort Smith AR vs Westland 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Westland
9.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 84,155 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.2 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 9.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 7.7% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $33,816 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 21.7% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $215,089 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, 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 +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 27.0 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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