Fort Smith vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Montgomery
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 2.5% less expensive than Montgomery overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $76,948 in Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $76,948 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $73,101 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is equal to Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $162,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $470/month in Montgomery. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $460 in Montgomery. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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