Fort Smith vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.3%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $75,974 in Springfield.
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 $75,974 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $74,038 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $162,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 91 in Springfield. 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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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