Albuquerque vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 19.5% less expensive than Albuquerque overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albuquerque would need approximately $62,772 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 Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $62,772 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $89,610 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $155,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $437/month in Fort Smith. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Albuquerque and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque 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 $52,911 in Albuquerque and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $58,701 respectively. Fort Smith residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/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 Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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