Fort Smith, AR
Your dollar goes further in Fort Smith, AR — everyday costs run about 26% below the national average (Cost Index: 74). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $168,100, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $52,692 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.
Fort Smith looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 19% rent burden, 3.2x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 55. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI
Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Fort Smith.
Cost of Living Breakdown
Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.
Fort Smith Mortgage Calculator
Pre-filled with the local median home value of $168,100 and Arkansas's property tax rate of 0.62%.
Household Housing Budget
Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.
Property Tax in Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas Place Tax Context
Compare Fort Smith to Another City
Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.
Cost of Living Comparison
Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.
Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)
FAQ: Living in Fort Smith
Is Fort Smith, AR an affordable place to live?+
Yes — everyday expenses in Fort Smith run about 26% below the US average (Cost Index: 74). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $168,100, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $852, versus $1,348 nationally.
How does Fort Smith fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $852, while local median household income is $52,692. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 19% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.
How much are taxes in Fort Smith, AR?+
Arkansas has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 4.4%. The effective property tax rate is 0.62%. On a home worth $168,100, that translates to roughly $1,042 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 9.47% on everyday purchases.
How much does it cost to rent in Fort Smith, AR?+
The typical monthly rent in Fort Smith is around $852. That's roughly 37% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $168,100, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Fort Smith, AR?+
The median home in Fort Smith is valued at $168,100. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $850/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 53% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Fort Smith?+
Grocery prices in Fort Smith are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 74). Both help keep your monthly expenses lower than in many parts of the country.
What is Fort Smith, AR like to live in?+
Fort Smith is a smaller city with a population of about 89,496. The median age of residents is 36.6, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 18.31%, above the national average of 12.4%.
Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Arkansas
If Fort Smith feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.
Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Arkansas
Use these city pages when you want to compare Fort Smith against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.
- Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
- Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
- Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
- Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
- Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)