Brownsville vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Brownsville
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Brownsville is 2.6% less expensive than Fort Smith overall. A household earning $75,000 in Brownsville would need approximately $77,000 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 Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $77,000 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $73,052 in Brownsville.
Living in Brownsville vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Brownsville's housing index of 58 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $155,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville 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 79 in Brownsville and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville 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 $52,100 in Brownsville and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $58,701 respectively. Brownsville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/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 Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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