Fort Smith AR vs Roswell 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Roswell
92,577
Roswell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 92,577 | Roswell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 40.0 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 61.2% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.8% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $662,209 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, 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 +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 29.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Smith, AR vs New York, NYFort Smith, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Smith, ARFort Smith, AR vs Houston, TXFort Smith, AR vs Phoenix, AZFort Smith, AR vs Philadelphia, PA