Fayetteville, AR vs Fort Smith, AR

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fort Smith is 27.9% cheaper than Fayetteville. With a cost index of 69 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fort Smith to Fayetteville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fayetteville is $1,003/month compared to $852/month in Fort Smith — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Smith is more affordable at $168,100 median vs $322,500.

Median household income in Fayetteville is $59,074 compared to $52,692 in Fort Smith (+12.1%). Fayetteville does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fayetteville spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Fort Smith.