City Comparison

Fort Smith vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Smith

Arkansas
77
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$775/mo
Median Rent
$45,200
Median Income

Toronto

Canada
93
Below Average
$615,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

17.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.2%, with Fort Smith being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to $90,584 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
49
Fort Smith
132
Toronto
Groceries
92
Fort Smith
88
Toronto
Utilities
95
Fort Smith
85
Toronto
Transportation
90
Fort Smith
98
Toronto
Healthcare
88
Fort Smith
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Smith has the same purchasing power as $90,584 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $62,097 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $615,000. The $460,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $418/month in Toronto. 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 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $340 in Toronto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $59,140 respectively. Toronto 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 $1,283/month in Toronto. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Smith is 17.2% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Smith has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,584 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Smith's housing index is 49 with median homes at $155,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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