Fort Smith vs Reno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Reno
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 30.6% less than Reno. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $108,117 in Reno.
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 $108,117 in Reno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $52,027 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Reno
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $450,000. The $295,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $485/month in Reno. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $372 in Reno. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 96 in Reno. 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 $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $55,539 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,438/month in Reno. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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