Fort Smith vs Killeen
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Killeen
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.3%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $81,818 in Killeen.
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 $81,818 in Killeen.
Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $68,750 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Killeen
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $235,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $456/month in Killeen. 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 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $432 in Killeen. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 96 in Killeen. 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 $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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