Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Detroit, MI
VS
Fort Smith, AR
🏆 Fort Smith leads 18 of 23 categories
Detroit
Michigan
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Fort Smith
Arkansas
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,799 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
222⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,315
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $89k less ($66,700 vs $155,600)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Fort Smith by $13,038/yr
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Fort Smith
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Fort Smith, AR
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 8.6 pts lower (6.1%)
53% less violent crime than Detroit
Households earn $13,038 more per year on average
Rent averages $191/mo less ($798 vs $989)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Detroit
Cons
Violent crime (842.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3684.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Detroit
Median Home Value
$89k less
$66,700 vs $155,600
Fort Smith
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 85.1 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Fort Smith
Median Income
$13,038
$50,799 vs $37,761/yr
Fort Smith
Violent Crime
53% lower
842.4 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Fort Smith
Unemployment
8.6 pp lower
6.1% vs 14.7% unemployment
Fort Smith
Summer Heat
10.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fort Smith, AR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 85.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $66,700 ✓ Lower | $155,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $989 | $798 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $50,799 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.7%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 6.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 363⚠ High | 203⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 469⚠ High | 222⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 205⚠ High | 175⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 16.9% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 83.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Detroit Public Schools Community District | FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.0°F | 51.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.9" ✓ Drier | 47.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 2.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 636,787 ✓ Larger | 89,315 |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% | 51.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 24.0% |
| Over 65 | 14.4% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Detroit's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Fort Smith's 85.1 (US average = 100).
Fort Smith is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fort Smith leads 18 of 23 categories. Detroit wins 5 and Fort Smith wins 18. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Detroit to Fort Smith or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($66,700 vs $155,600 median home), income ($37,761 vs $50,799), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Detroit, MI and Fort Smith, AR are about 776 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.