Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
5.7%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 89,496 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.6 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 58.3% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 5.7% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $52,692 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $33,991 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $53,714 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 18.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 25.3% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 53.0% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Fort Smith
660
Fort Smith +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 660 | Fort Smith + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2507 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.0% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.2% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 61.7°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 45.5 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Fort Smith
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Fort Smith is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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