Fort Smith vs Lubbock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Lubbock
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.2%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $80,844 in Lubbock.
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 $80,844 in Lubbock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lubbock equals $69,578 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Lubbock
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Lubbock's 59, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $175,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $950/mo in Lubbock, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 93 in Lubbock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $442/month in Lubbock. 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 96 in Lubbock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $384 in Lubbock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 90 in Lubbock. 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 $49,834 in Lubbock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $60,041 respectively. Lubbock 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 $1,163/month in Lubbock. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Lubbock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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