Fort Smith vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 27.4% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $103,247 in Medford.
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 $103,247 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $54,481 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Medford
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $406,000. The $251,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $513/month in Medford. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $45,200 in Fort Smith and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $69,057 respectively. Medford 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 $1,708/month in Medford. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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