Cost of Living in Fort Smith, AR
Updated November 2026 · Sebastian County · Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area · population 89,805
Prices in Fort Smith are 12.9% below the US average (local index 87.1; the BEA index for the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is 85.9), with local housing the biggest saving at 53.7; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,001 a month and the median rent is $884.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Fort Smith's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, unchanged.
Fort Smith price index by category, US average = 100: All items 87.1, Housing (rents) 53.7, Goods 93.6, Utilities 73.8, Other services 95.3
It is the least expensive of the 9 Arkansas cities in our data. Cheaper than 99% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.1 | 87.1 | 87.7 | 85.8 | 85.3 | 85.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fort Smith, AR
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $482 | $5,784 | 24% |
| Utilities | $215 | $2,580 | 11% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 13% |
| Transportation | $548 | $6,576 | 27% |
| Health care | $335 | $4,020 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $157 | $1,884 | 8% |
| Total | $2,001 | $24,012 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fort Smith, AR
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $691 | $8,292 | 20% |
| Utilities | $339 | $4,068 | 10% |
| Food at home | $487 | $5,844 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,085 | $13,020 | 31% |
| Health care | $621 | $7,452 | 18% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $310 | $3,720 | 9% |
| Total | $3,533 | $42,396 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fort Smith, AR
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $891 | $10,692 | 20% |
| Utilities | $413 | $4,956 | 9% |
| Food at home | $695 | $8,340 | 16% |
| Transportation | $1,443 | $17,316 | 33% |
| Health care | $579 | $6,948 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $399 | $4,788 | 9% |
| Total | $4,420 | $53,040 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Fort Smith
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $781 modelled from city median rent |
| 1 bedroom | $627 |
| 2 bedrooms | $898 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,158 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,495 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $884 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $680 |
| Median home value | $178,100 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,321/mo |
| Median household income | $54,816 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 25.6% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.2× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Arkansas
14.37¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +7.8% (from 13.33¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,055 kWh a month in Arkansas ≈ $143/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Arkansas is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Fort Smith are 12.9% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $68,900 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 87.1. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 51 mi | 89.6 | $2,246 | $1,065 |
| Springdale, AR | 59 mi | 89.7 | $2,167 | $1,071 |
| Rogers, AR | 68 mi | 92.0 | $2,424 | $1,270 |
| Bentonville, AR | 70 mi | 92.9 | $2,464 | $1,344 |
| McAlester, OK | 84 mi | 86.9 | $2,053 | $915 |
| Broken Arrow, OK | 93 mi | 92.2 | $2,449 | $1,320 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moulton, AL | 87.1 | $1,950 | $655 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 87.2 | $2,267 | $1,109 |
| McAlester, OK | 86.9 | $2,053 | $915 |
| Dubuque, IA | 87.3 | $2,148 | $948 |
| Enid, OK | 86.8 | $2,108 | $914 |
| Grand Forks, ND | 87.3 | $2,289 | $980 |
Compare Fort Smith with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Smith, AR an expensive place to live?
Fort Smith has a local cost of living index of 87.1, which is 12.9% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area (85.9) and adjusts housing to Fort Smith's own rents. It is 0.1 points above the Arkansas average. It is the least expensive of the 9 Arkansas cities in our data. Cheaper than 99% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Fort Smith?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,001 for a single adult, $3,533 for a couple and $4,420 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $52,200 in Fort Smith.
What is the average rent in Fort Smith?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $884 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $627, 2 bedrooms $898, 3 bedrooms $1,158. The typical renter spends 25.6% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Fort Smith?
The median owner-estimated home value is $178,100, 3.2 times the median household income of $54,816 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,321 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Fort Smith?
Arkansas residential electricity averaged 14.37¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Fort Smith, AR-OK metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 85.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 0524550 (Fort Smith city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Arkansas residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources