Fort Smith vs Lafayette

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 $87,662 in Lafayette.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $64,167 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Lafayette

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $214,000. The $59,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,840 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 Lafayette, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 80 in Lafayette. 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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $68,778 respectively. Lafayette 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. 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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