Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Athens
57.6%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 89,496 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 57.6% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 26.2% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $52,692 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.7% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 25.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
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