Fort Smith vs Milwaukee

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 $89,610 in Milwaukee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $62,772 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Milwaukee

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Milwaukee's 80, 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 $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $475/month in Milwaukee. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 102 in Milwaukee. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $47,874 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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