Columbus vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Columbus
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 1.3% less expensive than Columbus overall. A household earning $75,000 in Columbus would need approximately $74,038 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 Columbus has the same purchasing power as $74,038 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $75,974 in Columbus.
Living in Columbus vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Columbus's housing index of 57 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $222,000 vs $155,000. The $67,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,356 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Columbus compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Columbus and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Columbus 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 86 in Columbus and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Columbus vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 85 in Columbus 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 $58,100 in Columbus and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,487 and $58,701 respectively. Columbus residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,356/month to housing in Columbus vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Columbus, median rent of $1,050/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 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases