Bellevue vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Fort Smith
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 105.2%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $36,551 in Fort Smith.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $36,551 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $153,896 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $155,000. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $74,496 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $1,750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1080/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $58,701 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 200 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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