Fort Smith vs Pueblo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Pueblo
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 14.4% less than Pueblo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $87,662 in Pueblo.
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 $87,662 in Pueblo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pueblo equals $64,167 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Pueblo
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Pueblo's 81, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $247,000. The $92,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,976 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,075/mo in Pueblo, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 99 in Pueblo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $470/month in Pueblo. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 96 in Pueblo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $384 in Pueblo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 102 in Pueblo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $56,700 in Pueblo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $63,000 respectively. Pueblo 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 $1,323/month in Pueblo. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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