Fort Smith vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Smith
Wilmington
The Verdict
Fort Smith is 25.2% less expensive than Wilmington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Smith would need approximately $100,325 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of living.
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 Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $56,068 in Fort Smith.
Living in Fort Smith vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $320,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $480/month in Wilmington. Fort Smith offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Fort Smith and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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