Fort Smith vs Shreveport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Shreveport
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 8.3% less expensive than Shreveport overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $81,818 in Shreveport to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $81,818 in Shreveport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $68,750 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Shreveport
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $170,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $466/month in Shreveport. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 93 in Shreveport. 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 $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $51,429 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 6 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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