Bella Vista, AR vs Fort Smith, AR

The cost of living difference between Bella Vista, AR and Fort Smith, AR is dramatic. Fort Smith is 34.5% cheaper than Bella Vista, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bella Vista has a cost index of 93 while Fort Smith sits at 69, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bella Vista is $1,316/month compared to $852/month in Fort Smith — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Smith is more affordable at $168,100 median vs $262,400.

Median household income in Bella Vista is $85,932 compared to $52,692 in Fort Smith (+63.1%). While Bella Vista is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bella Vista spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Fort Smith.