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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 $752/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.0K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 10.0%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$752
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$9.0K
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

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K
Cost Index:110
Median Home:$512K

Fort Smith, AR

The Natural State

90K
Population
State Tax
Yes

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

Raleigh, NC

The Tar Heel State

474K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขResearch Triangle
  • โ€ขState capital
  • โ€ขMajor university town

Major Industries

TechnologyResearchEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Fort Smith, AR vs Raleigh, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 28.4%
Fort Smith, AR
$1,922
Raleigh, NC
$2,469
Difference
$546
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 13.4%
Fort Smith, AR
$530
Raleigh, NC
$601
Difference
$70.83
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 11.6%
Fort Smith, AR
$490
Raleigh, NC
$546
Difference
$56.86
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 4.8%
Fort Smith, AR
$915
Raleigh, NC
$959
Difference
$43.89
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 1.9%
Fort Smith, AR
$1,260
Raleigh, NC
$1,284
Difference
$24.33
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 0.7%
Fort Smith, AR
$1,696
Raleigh, NC
$1,707
Difference
$11.06
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$689
To$1,570
โ†‘ $881
1 Bed
From$720
To$1,640
โ†‘ $920
2 Bed
From$953
To$1,800
โ†‘ $847
3 Bed
From$1,287
To$2,255
โ†‘ $968
Fort Smith, ARZIP-level data

1BR range: $710โ€“$900/mo

Raleigh, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400โ€“$1,880/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
$7,567
Monthly in Raleigh, NC
$753
Difference

Home Values

Fort Smith
Raleigh
$224K
Median Value
$512K
โ†‘ +1%
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.5%
โ†‘ +29.8%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +38.2%
$110K - $313K
Price Range
$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 129% 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†‘ $1.9K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$158
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.3%
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

Raleigh, NC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
North Carolina State Tax
Effective: 4.8%
$7.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.4%
$44.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,822/month
$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Fort Smith, AR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.4%
Property Tax:0.6%

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

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
Raleigh
51 Moderate
Air Quality
46 Good
48.4%
Good Air Days
61.7%
98 High
Climate Risk
96 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days

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

Where your money goes further

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