Fort Smith vs Louisville

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 $88,636 in Louisville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Louisville equals $63,462 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Louisville

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Louisville's 77, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $210,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 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 Louisville, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 96 in Louisville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $456/month in Louisville. 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 91 in Louisville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $364 in Louisville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 93 in Louisville. 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 $52,238 in Louisville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $57,404 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 $1,219/month in Louisville. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases