Allentown vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Fort Smith
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.3%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $58,929 in Fort Smith.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $58,929 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $95,455 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $155,000. The $77,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,004 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown 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 $55,500 in Allentown and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 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 $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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