Fort Smith vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Rockford
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 2.5% less than Rockford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $76,948 in Rockford.
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 $76,948 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $73,101 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $155,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $67,468 respectively. Rockford 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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