Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Albany
18.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 89,496 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 18.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 76.3% | 7.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $195,664 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Fort Smith
19.7%
Fort Smith +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Fort Smith
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Fort Smith
17.2%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.7% | Fort Smith + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 17.2% | Fort Smith + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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