Des Moines vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 15.6% less expensive than Des Moines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $64,888 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 Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $64,888 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $86,688 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $210,000 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: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines 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 93 in Des Moines and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $58,701 respectively. Des Moines residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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