Akron vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 5.2% less expensive than Akron overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $71,296 in Fort Smith to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $71,296 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $78,896 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $155,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $380 in Fort Smith. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $58,701 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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