Fort Smith vs Sioux Falls

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 $90,584 in Sioux Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $62,097 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Sioux Falls

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $265,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. 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 Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 101 in Sioux Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $66,359 respectively. Sioux Falls 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 $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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