Fort Smith vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Franklin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 44.6%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $135,390 in Franklin.
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 $135,390 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $41,547 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $750,000. The $595,000 difference in home prices means roughly $38,676 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $1,075.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $475/month in Franklin. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 91 in Franklin. 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 $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin 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 $2,758/month in Franklin. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 181 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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