Fort Smith vs Huntsville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Huntsville
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 15.4% less than Huntsville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $88,636 in Huntsville.
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 $88,636 in Huntsville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Huntsville equals $63,462 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Huntsville
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Huntsville's 79, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $260,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,200/mo in Huntsville, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 96 in Huntsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $456/month in Huntsville. 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 91 in Huntsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $364 in Huntsville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 93 in Huntsville. 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 $56,098 in Huntsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $61,646 respectively. Huntsville 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 $1,309/month in Huntsville. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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