Concord vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Concord
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 29.9% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $57,750 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 Concord has the same purchasing power as $57,750 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $97,403 in Concord.
Living in Concord vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Concord's housing index of 110 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $155,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Concord compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Concord and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Concord vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Concord and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Concord 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 113 in Concord and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $84,900 in Concord and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $84,900 and $58,701 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,981/month to housing in Concord vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/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 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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