Fort Smith vs South Bend
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
South Bend
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 3.7% less expensive than South Bend overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $77,922 in South Bend 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 $77,922 in South Bend.
Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $72,188 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs South Bend
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $173,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $461/month in South Bend. 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 South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $376 in South Bend. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 88 in South Bend. 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 $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $60,250 respectively. South Bend 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 $1,125/month in South Bend. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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