Fort Smith vs Little Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Little Rock
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 8.3% less expensive than Little Rock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $81,818 in Little Rock to maintain the same standard of living.
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 Little Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $68,750 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Little Rock
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $170,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $447/month in Little Rock. 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 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 90 in Little Rock. 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 $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $56,712 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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