Fort Smith AR vs Savannah 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 37.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Savannah
6.7%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $32,004 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.7% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $326,132 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 44.4% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Fort Smith +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 66.8°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.0 in | Fort Smith + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, 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 +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 22.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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