Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 89,496 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 39.9% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
$33,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $52,692 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $33,991 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 25.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.0% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.7% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.3% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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