Fort Smith vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 31.9% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $110,065 in Peoria.
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 $110,065 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $51,106 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $495,000. The $340,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,104 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $466/month in Peoria. 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 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $424 in Peoria. 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 Peoria. 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 $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria 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 $2,270/month in Peoria. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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