Fort Smith vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.2%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $100,325 in Surprise.
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 $100,325 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $56,068 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $419,000. The $264,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,160 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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