Bismarck vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 23.4% less expensive than Bismarck overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $60,789 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 Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $60,789 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $92,532 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $155,000. The $193,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Bismarck and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck 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 103 in Bismarck and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $77,600 in Bismarck and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $58,701 respectively. Bismarck residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,811/month to housing in Bismarck vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Bismarck, 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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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