Fort Smith, AR vs Hot Springs, AR

Fort Smith, AR and Hot Springs, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Fort Smith scores 69 while Hot Springs scores 70 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Smith is $852/month compared to $902/month in Hot Springs — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Smith has cheaper rent, Hot Springs actually has lower median home values ($156,900 vs $168,100).

Median household income in Fort Smith is $52,692 compared to $46,441 in Hot Springs (+13.5%). Fort Smith offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Smith spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Hot Springs.