Fort Smith vs Henderson
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Henderson
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 28.7% less expensive than Henderson overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $105,195 in Henderson 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 $105,195 in Henderson.
Conversely, $75,000 in Henderson equals $53,472 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Henderson
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Henderson's 118, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $420,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,500/mo in Henderson, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 102 in Henderson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $485/month in Henderson. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 94 in Henderson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $376 in Henderson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 96 in Henderson. 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 $72,238 in Henderson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $66,887 respectively. Henderson 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 $1,686/month in Henderson. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Henderson, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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