Chattanooga vs Fort Smith

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has the same purchasing power as $64,888 in Fort Smith.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $86,688 in Chattanooga.

Living in Chattanooga vs Fort Smith

Housing Costs

Chattanooga's housing index of 76 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $255,000 vs $155,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Chattanooga compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Chattanooga and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Chattanooga 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 91 in Chattanooga and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Chattanooga vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Chattanooga 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 $46,054 in Chattanooga and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,746 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 $1,075/month to housing in Chattanooga vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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