Fort Smith vs Gulfport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Gulfport
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 7.2% less expensive than Gulfport overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $80,844 in Gulfport to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $80,844 in Gulfport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gulfport equals $69,578 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Gulfport
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Gulfport's 55, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $185,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,000/mo in Gulfport, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 95 in Gulfport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $451/month in Gulfport. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 99 in Gulfport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $396 in Gulfport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 98 in Gulfport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $45,200 in Fort Smith and $48,000 in Gulfport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $57,831 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,120/month in Gulfport. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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