Cleveland vs Fort Smith

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cleveland has the same purchasing power as $66,379 in Fort Smith.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $84,740 in Cleveland.

Living in Cleveland vs Fort Smith

Housing Costs

Cleveland's housing index of 59 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $100,000 vs $155,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Cleveland compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cleveland and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cleveland 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 96 in Cleveland and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Cleveland vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Cleveland 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 $32,053 in Cleveland and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $36,843 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 $748/month to housing in Cleveland vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Cleveland, median rent of $900/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 Transportation, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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