Fort Smith AR vs Macon GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 61,773 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 61.2% | 43.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 19.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,405 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 47.2% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 64.6°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.7 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 30.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
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