Fort Smith vs Lakeland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Lakeland
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.3%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $89,610 in Lakeland.
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 $89,610 in Lakeland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakeland equals $62,772 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Lakeland
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Lakeland's 79, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $307,000. The $152,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,525/mo in Lakeland, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 103 in Lakeland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $489/month in Lakeland. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 102 in Lakeland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $408 in Lakeland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 95 in Lakeland. 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 $64,200 in Lakeland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $69,783 respectively. Lakeland 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 $1,498/month in Lakeland. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Lakeland, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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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