Fort Smith vs Oklahoma City

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 $84,740 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $66,379 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $195,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 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 Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 92 in Oklahoma City. 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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $63,745 respectively. Oklahoma City 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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