Fort Smith, AR vs Paragould, AR

Fort Smith, AR and Paragould, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Fort Smith scores 69 while Paragould scores 71 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 $883/month in Paragould — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Smith is more affordable at $168,100 median vs $175,400.

Median household income in Fort Smith is $52,692 compared to $56,181 in Paragould (-6.2%). While Paragould is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Smith spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.9% in Paragould.