Fort Smith vs Fort Wayne
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Fort Wayne
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 6.1% less than Fort Wayne. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $79,870 in Fort Wayne.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Smith has the same purchasing power as $79,870 in Fort Wayne.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Wayne equals $70,427 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Fort Wayne
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Fort Wayne's 57, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $195,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $950/mo in Fort Wayne, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 99 in Fort Wayne. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $470/month in Fort Wayne. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 93 in Fort Wayne. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $372 in Fort Wayne. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 96 in Fort Wayne. 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 $45,200 in Fort Smith and $54,600 in Fort Wayne. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $66,585 respectively. Fort Wayne residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,274/month in Fort Wayne. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Wayne, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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