Fort Smith vs Winston-Salem

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 $81,818 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $68,750 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $250,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. 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 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $62,619 respectively. Winston-Salem 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 $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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