Fort Smith, AR vs Jonesboro, AR

Fort Smith is moderately more affordable than Jonesboro, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Fort Smith scores 69 compared to 76 for Jonesboro, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Jonesboro can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Smith is $852/month compared to $926/month in Jonesboro — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Smith is more affordable at $168,100 median vs $213,400.

Median household income in Fort Smith is $52,692 compared to $52,559 in Jonesboro (+0.3%). 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 21.1% in Jonesboro.