Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Fort Smith
89,496
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 89,496 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 39.3% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 46.7% | 7.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 20.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Fort Smith
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Fort Smith
25.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $52,692 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 25.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Fort Smith
$195,664
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $195,664 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 53.0% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Fort Smith
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 37.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.7% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 61.7°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 45.5 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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