Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fort Smith, AR
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Fort Smith leads 15 of 23 categories
Fort Smith
Arkansas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,799 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
222⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,315
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fort Smith, AR
Pros
41% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Rent averages $184/mo less ($798 vs $982)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 30°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Milwaukee
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.1)
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
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 94°F
Cons
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Fort Smith
Key Differences at a Glance
Fort Smith
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 85.1 vs 95.5 (100 = US avg)
Fort Smith
Median Income
$1,066
$50,799 vs $49,733/yr
Fort Smith
Violent Crime
41% lower
842.4 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Fort Smith
Summer Heat
11.3°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 82.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.1 ✓ Cheaper | 95.5 |
| Median Home Value | $155,600 ✓ Lower | $157,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $798 ✓ Lower | $982 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $50,799 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter | 22.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 9.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 203⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 222⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 175⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.9% | 26.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.1% | 85.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.3°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 33.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.9" ✓ Less | 39.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 89,315 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Smith's cost of living index is 85.1 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Fort Smith is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fort Smith leads 15 of 23 categories. Fort Smith wins 15 and Milwaukee wins 8. 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 Fort Smith to Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($155,600 vs $157,800 median home), income ($50,799 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fort Smith, AR and Milwaukee, WI are about 633 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.