Fort Smith vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Meridian
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 35.8%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $116,883 in Meridian.
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 $116,883 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $48,125 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $509,000. The $354,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,016 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $494/month in Meridian. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian 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 $2,326/month in Meridian. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 105 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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