Fort Smith vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Springfield
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 8.3% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $81,818 in Springfield 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 Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $68,750 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $225,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $447/month in Springfield. 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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $316 in Springfield. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $54,762 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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