Fort Smith vs Fresno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Fort Smith
Fresno
💡 The Verdict
Fort Smith is 32% cheaper than Fresno overall. A $75,000 salary in Fort Smith is equivalent to $109,932 in Fresno.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Fort Smith (left) vs Fresno (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Fort Smith versus Fresno. Differences shown from Fort Smith perspective.
| Item | Fort Smith | Fresno | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $760/mo | $930/mo | $-170.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,110/mo | $1,300/mo | $-190.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,460/mo | $1,660/mo | $-200.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $1.86 | $2.80 | $-0.94 |
| Milk (gallon) | $2.57 | $3.98 | $-1.41 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.47 | $3.27 | $-0.80 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.29 | $5.81 | $-1.52 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.05 | $3.34 | $-0.29 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.75 | $14.87 | $-1.12 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Smith has the same purchasing power as $109,932 in Fresno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fresno equals $51,168 in Fort Smith.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1350 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Arkansas details → · California details →
Reading These Numbers: Fort Smith (73) vs Fresno (107)
Fort Smith at 73 is 27% below the US average, while Fresno at 107 is 7% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Fort Smith, the composite index of 73 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 92, followed by groceries (75), utilities (77), transportation (80), and healthcare (80). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,110/mo in Fort Smith and $1,300/mo in Fresno, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,280.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $11,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $54,000.0 difference in median home prices between Fort Smith and Fresno translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Fort Smith vs Fresno
Choosing between Fort Smith and Fresno involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Fort Smith versus Fresno depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.