Fort Smith vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Racine
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 12.5% less than Racine. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $85,714 in Racine.
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 $85,714 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $65,625 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Racine
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $126,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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