Fort Smith vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Roswell
The Verdict
Living in Fort Smith costs 31.9% less than Roswell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Smith, you would need $110,065 in Roswell.
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 Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $51,106 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Roswell
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $647,000. The $492,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $925.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $480/month in Roswell. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $392 in Roswell. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 103 in Roswell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $96,283 respectively. Roswell 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 $2,539/month in Roswell. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 138 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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