Fort Smith vs Montpelier
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Montpelier
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 34.2%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $113,961 in Montpelier.
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 $113,961 in Montpelier.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $49,359 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Montpelier
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $375,000. The $220,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,304 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $494/month in Montpelier. 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 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $492 in Montpelier. 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 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $70,598 respectively. Montpelier 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 $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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