Fort Smith vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Tempe
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.4%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $103,247 in Tempe.
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 $103,247 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $54,481 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $400,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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