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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Fort Smith, AR โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Tulsa, OK area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.1K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 16.8%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,262
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$15.1K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Fort Smith, AR

Population:90K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$224K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:117
Median Home:$558K

Fort Smith, AR

The Natural State

90K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Arkansas, this city has a population of 90K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขLive music capital
  • โ€ขMajor tech hub
  • โ€ขSXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Fort Smith, AR vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 50.0%
Fort Smith, AR
$1,922
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$962
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 11.0%
Fort Smith, AR
$530
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$58.44
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 10.5%
Fort Smith, AR
$490
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$51.40
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 2.6%
Fort Smith, AR
$1,696
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$44.54
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 4.8%
Fort Smith, AR
$915
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$43.89
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 1.9%
Fort Smith, AR
$1,260
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$24.33
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$689
To$1,585
โ†‘ $896
1 Bed
From$720
To$1,685
โ†‘ $965
2 Bed
From$953
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,042
3 Bed
From$1,287
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,238
Fort Smith, ARZIP-level data

1BR range: $710โ€“$900/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490โ€“$2,350/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,814
Monthly in Fort Smith, AR
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,185
Difference

Home Values

Fort Smith
Austin
$224K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +1%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +29.8%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$110K - $313K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 149% more expensive than Fort Smith

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $9.0K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$752
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
6.0%
Rate difference

Fort Smith, AR

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Arkansas State Tax
Effective: 6.0%
$9.0K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.7%
$46.0K
Take-Home Pay
$8,664/month
$104.0K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Fort Smith, AR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.4%
Property Tax:0.6%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Fort Smith
Austin
51 Moderate
Air Quality
52 Moderate
48.4%
Good Air Days
42.6%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Arkansas and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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Similar cost to Austin, TX

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