Aurora vs Fort Smith

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $46,573 in Fort Smith.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $120,779 in Aurora.

Living in Aurora vs Fort Smith

Housing Costs

Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $155,000. The $255,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,572 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $975.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Aurora and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $84,300 in Aurora and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 and $58,701 respectively. Aurora residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/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 125 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases