Fort Smith vs St George

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 $107,143 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $52,500 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs St George

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $550,000. The $395,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $475/month in St George. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 96 in St George. 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 $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $65,818 respectively. St George 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 $1,689/month in St George. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases