Fargo vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fargo
Fort Smith
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.8%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to $62,097 in Fort Smith.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fargo has the same purchasing power as $62,097 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $90,584 in Fargo.
Living in Fargo vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Fargo's housing index of 80 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $155,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo 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 92 in Fargo and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,218 in Fargo and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $58,701 respectively. Fargo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Fargo vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/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 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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