Fort Smith vs Knoxville

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 $85,714 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $65,625 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $240,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $447/month in Knoxville. 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 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $360 in Knoxville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 93 in Knoxville. 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 $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $48,748 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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