Fort Smith, AR vs North Little Rock, AR

Fort Smith is moderately more affordable than North Little Rock, with a 9.1% lower cost of living index. Fort Smith scores 69 compared to 76 for North Little Rock, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of North Little Rock 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 $1,028/month in North Little Rock — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Smith is more affordable at $168,100 median vs $169,500.

Median household income in Fort Smith is $52,692 compared to $51,236 in North Little Rock (+2.8%). 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 24.1% in North Little Rock.