Akron OH vs Fort Smith AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Akron
56.1%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 89,496 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.6 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 56.1% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 29.4% | 7.7% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,714 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $195,664 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2507 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.3% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 61.7°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 45.5 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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