Fort Smith vs Glendale
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Glendale
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 31.9% less than Glendale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $110,065 in Glendale.
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 $110,065 in Glendale.
Conversely, $75,000 in Glendale equals $51,106 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Glendale
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Glendale's 119, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $405,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,400/mo in Glendale, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 103 in Glendale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $489/month in Glendale. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 98 in Glendale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $392 in Glendale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 94 in Glendale. 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 $70,100 in Glendale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $62,035 respectively. Glendale 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 $1,636/month in Glendale. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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