Fort Smith vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Orem
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 34.2% less than Orem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $113,961 in Orem.
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 Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $49,359 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Orem
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $528,000. The $373,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,240 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 Orem, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $466/month in Orem. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 95 in Orem. 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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $73,504 respectively. Orem 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 $2,007/month in Orem. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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