Fort Smith vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Toronto
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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