Fort Smith vs North Charleston

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 $99,351 in North Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $56,618 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $347,000. The $192,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,480 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $480/month in North Charleston. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $480 in North Charleston. 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 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $45,200 in Fort Smith and $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $60,196 respectively. North Charleston 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 $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases