Dayton vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 3.9% less expensive than Dayton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $72,188 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 Dayton has the same purchasing power as $72,188 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $77,922 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $155,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton 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 114 in Dayton and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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