Fort Smith vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.0%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $104,221 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 $104,221 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $53,972 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $378,000. The $223,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,496 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $480/month in Springfield. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 102 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $53,832 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 $1,344/month in Springfield. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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