Flint vs Fort Smith
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Flint
Fort Smith
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 10.4% less than Flint. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Flint, you would need $67,941 in Fort Smith.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Flint has the same purchasing power as $67,941 in Fort Smith.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $82,792 in Flint.
Living in Flint vs Fort Smith
Housing Costs
Flint's housing index of 31 is lower Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $75,000 vs $155,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Flint compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Flint and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Flint vs $437/month in Fort Smith. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Flint and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Flint vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Flint 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 $30,400 in Flint and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $35,765 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 $709/month to housing in Flint vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Flint, median rent of $775/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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